In-Vitro Effects of Dexamethasone on Cellular Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Na+-K+-ATPase Activity of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells.

Purpose : To assess the in-vitro effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and Na+-K+-ATPase activity of bovine corneal endothelial cells. Methods : Bovine corneal endothelial cells were cultured with DEX ranging from 10 -10 to 10 -3 M. The effect of DEX on the proliferation was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Apoptosis and necrosis were detected by staining with fluorescein-conjugated annexin V and propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. The effect of DEX on Na+-K+-ATPase activity was evaluated using non-isotopic methods. Results : DEX did not affect cellular proliferation or induce apoptosis/necrosis from 10 -10 to 10 -5 M. At 10 -4 and 10 -3 M, DEX significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis and/or necrosis. DEX significantly increased the Na+-K+-ATPase activity from 10 -8 to 10 -6 M, with the maximal effect at 10 -6 M ( p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]