Therapeutic Effects of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone on Proliferation of ARPE-19 Cells Under Hyperglycemic Stress
Zahra Souri1 *, Mohammad Malekahmadi 2
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Iran
- Isfahan eye research center. Department of Ophthalmology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of chronic hyperglycemia characterized by progressive damage to the retinal microvasculature, leading to pathological changes such as microaneurysms, hemorrhages, retinal ischemia, and neovascularization. Intra-vitreal injections of agents targeting key pathways in retinal pathology have become standard therapeutic approaches. This study evaluates the effects of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone, both individually and in combination, on the proliferation of a hyperglycemic ARPE-19 cell line model.
Methods: The human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) was cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM): F12, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin, and maintained at 37°C in a 5% CO2 environment. Upon reaching confluency, the cells were incubated under either normoglycemic (NG, 5.5 mM) or hyperglycemic (high glucose, 30 mM) conditions. After 72 hours, ARPE-19 cells were plated at a density of 10^4 cells per well and divided into eight groups. The experimental groups included: Control (normal and high glucose), Bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL), Triamcinolone (4 mg/0.1 mL), and a combination of both drugs (Bevacizumab + Triamcinolone). Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay after 24 and 48 hours of treatment.
Results: Elevated glucose levels significantly increased cell numbers at both 24 hours and 48 hours (p < 0.001). Neither Bevacizumab nor Triamcinolone affected cell numbers in the normal glucose group at either time point. However, the combination of both drugs significantly reduced cell numbers (p < 0.01) in the high glucose-treated group at 24 hours. After 48 hours, both Triamcinolone and the combination therapy resulted in a significant reduction in cell numbers compared to the high glucose control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively).
Conclusion: The combination of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone effectively reduces the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells under hyperglycemic conditions. While reducing the proliferation of RPE cells may mitigate complications associated with diabetic retinopathy, such as epiretinal membrane formation and inflammation, careful consideration is necessary to avoid impairing retinal function and increasing oxidative stress susceptibility.
