Abstract:
Objective To explore the effect of oxidative stress on sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.
Methods Human RPE cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at concentrations of 0, 200, 300 µmol/L. RPE cell morphology was observed with Giemsa staining 24 hours after the treatment. SIRT1 mRNA and protein expression were detected 24 and 72 hours after H2O2 treatment.
Results The morphology of RPE cells was damaged and apoptotic bodies were observed after treatment with different concentrations of H2O2; SIRT1 mRNA level was increased in a dose-dependent manner 24 hours after H2O2-induced oxidative stress. However, 72 hours after H2O2 treatment SIRT1 protein expression was reduced significantly.
Conclusion Oxidative stress can lead to morphological changes in RPE cells; SIRT1 maintains the balance of the oxidation reduction system in RPE cells and could be used as a therapeutic target in for clinical management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).