Effect of Triamcinolone Acetonide on Proliferation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of triamcinolone acetonide on the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelum cells in an experimental cell culture study. Methods: Pooled fresh porcine retinal pigment epithelium cell cultures were exposed to triamcinolone acetonide in increasing concentrations after the solvent agent had been removed. The proliferation rate was measured using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay (MTS assay). Results: The number of proliferating retinal pigment epithelium cells decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with increasing concentrations of triamcinolone acetonide up to 1 mg/mL. Conclusions: In porcine retinal pigment epithelium cell cultures, low concentrations of triamcinolone acetonide lead to a dosage dependent reduction in the cell proliferation rate. It may be of importance for the safety and the therapeutic effect of intravitreal use of triamcinolone acetonide for treatment of intraocular edematous and proliferative diseases, such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy.