Carteolol Hydrochloride Suppresses the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Rescues Cell Death After Ultraviolet Irradiation of Cultured Lens Epithelial Cells

INTRODUCTION Anti-oxidant activities of adrenergic β-blockers are proposed in various organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of carteolol hydrochloride, an adrenergic β-blocker, on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the viable cell number after ultraviolet irradiation of cultured lens epithelial cells (LECs). MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY Cultured LECs were exposed to 0, 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) M carteolol hydrochloride for 30 min followed by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation at intensity of 100, 200, or 400 mJ/cm(2). The amount of ROS in the LECs was measured using dichlorodihydrofluorescein at 30 min after exposure to UVB. In addition, the number of living LECs was counted at 15 h after exposure to UVB. RESULTS Exposure to 10(-3) M carteolol hydrochloride significantly decreased the amount of ROS after exposure to UVB at intensities of 100, 200, and 400 mJ/cm(2). In addition, 10(-3) M carteolol hydrochloride significantly increased the viable cell number after exposure to UVB at 400 mJ/cm(2). However, 10(-4) and 10(-5)M carteolol hydrochloride had no significant effect on ROS or the viable cell number in LECs. DISCUSSIONS Carteolol hydrochloride protects LECs against UVB irradiation by inhibiting the intracellular production of ROS.