Diclofenac sodium and cyclosporin A inhibit human lens epithelial cell proliferation in culture

Purpose: To investigate the effect of diclofenac sodium salt and cyclosporin A (CsA) on human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) growth in culture. Methods: Cultures of HLEC were obtained from anterior capsules from extracapsular cataract surgery. Third-passage cells were seeded in 96-well plates in 0.1 ml culture medium. Cytotoxicity was estimated by the tetrazolium test in confluent monolayers after 24 h exposure to a wide range of concentrations of diclofenac and CsA. The effect of subcytotoxic concentrations of diclofenac and CsA on HLEC proliferation in subconfluent cultures was evaluated after 24 and 72 h of exposure. To investigate the relationship between PGE, synthesis and the inhibitory effect of these drugs, after 24 h of exposure to diclofenac and CsA the production of PGE(2) was measured by radioimmunoassay. We also tested the effect of exogenous PGE(2) addition to diclofenac 72-h-treated cultures. Results: Diclofenac and CsA (at concentrations greater than or equal to 65 MM and greater than or equal to 2.5 mu M, respectively) inhibited the proliferation of subconfluent cultures of HLEC in a dose-dependent fashion. Diclofenac inhibits PGE, synthesis, while CsA at high doses stimulates PGE(2) synthesis of cultured HLEC. Exogenous PGE(2) addition reversed in part the inhibitory effect of diclofenac. Conclusions: Diclofenac and CsA at appropriate doses are effective in inhibiting cultured HLEC proliferation. This could be of interest to prevent posterior capsule opacification. Further in vivo experimental studies seem worthwhile.