EFFECT OF HYPOXIC STRESS IN RPE CELLS: INFLUENCE OF ANTIOXIDANT TREATMENTS

Abstract

Retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is an ocular tissue that performs several important functions such as light perception and phagocytosis. This study investigated the effects of hypoxia and serum and glucose deprivation of the RPE tissue. The possible protective effects of antioxidants were also studied by determining cell viability, ATP content, and DNA fragmentation. The results demonstrate that antioxidants can protect RPE tissue from death through the inhibition of some mechanisms that lead to cellular apoptosis.