Abstract:

Objective To investigate the adverse effects of taurine on rabbit corneal endothelial cells. Methods Six rabbits (12 eyes) were selected, and 6 histologic sections were prepared from each of the eyes. Rabbit corneal endothelial cells were cultured by explant culture method. Cells were innoculated on a 12-well tissue culture plate, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% taurine solutions were added respectively (cells from the right and left eyes of the same rabbit were added the same concentration of taurine solution), and blank control was established. The growth of corneal endothelial cells was observed by inverted microscopy, and cell morphology on the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th and 8^th day of culture was observed with Wright staining. Results Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 2%, 4% and 6% taurine solutions and those of blank control formed endothelial cell layers after culture for one week, and the cells exhibited hexagonal or round-like morphology. Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 8% taurine solution appeared to be undergrowth with small cell body on the 4th day, and cell death occurred on the 8th day. Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 10% taurine solution turned out to be undergrowth with small cell body on the 2nd day, and cell death had occurred. The same growth velocity and cell morphology were observed in the corneal endothelial cells from the right and left eyes of the same rabbit. Conclusion Taurine with concentration between 2% and 6% has no adverse effects on the growth of rabbit corneal endothelial cells.

Key words: taurine, corneal endothelial cell, cell culture