Estrogen Mediated Protection of Oxidative Stress Induced Lens Epithelial Cell Apoptosis

It is well established that various factors such as oxidative stress, ultraviolet radiations (UV) and other toxic agents can induce cataract formation in in vivo and in vitro conditions. The cataract patients may have deficient defense systems against factors such as oxidative stress and UV at the onset of the disease. Such stresses can trigger lens epithelial cell apoptosis, which may initiate cataract development. To investigate the involvement of estrogen in protection against oxidative stress, chick lens epithelial cells were exposed to insult with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with a concentration of 100 μM over a time course of several hours, with and without pretreatment of estrogen. Cell viability, production of intracellular Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and intracellular reactive oxygen species were determined. Our results in the present investigation suggest that estrogen can preserve physiological functions of chick lens epithelial cells during oxidative stress, which suggests that estrogens can be effectively used in the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for cataract patients.