Effect of genistein on proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cell.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of genistein (inhibitor of receptor protein-tyrosine kinase) on the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells (RLEC) and the activity of cell membrane receptor protein-tyrosine kinase (RTPK) of RLEC and approach the mechanism of genistein in prevention and treatment of after cataract. METHODS: RLECs were cultured in vitro with the addition of 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 mg/L genistein. The proliferation rates of the cells were measured by tritiated thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation, and Casnetllie modified method was used to measure RTPK activities on the cell membrane after the action of various concentrations of genistein maintaining for 24 hours. RESULTS: The rates of (3)H-TdR incorporation in the cultures with 5, 10 and 15 mg/L genistein for 3 days were 630 +/- 137, 489 +/- 166 and 314 +/- 98, respectively. The rates were all different from the rate of the control significantly (P < 0.05), and the inhibition rate of cell proliferation was elevated along with the increase of the genistein concentration. After the maintenance of the action of genistein for 24 hours, the activity of RTPK was significantly lowered in the RLECs. The activity in the culture with 10 and 15 mg/L was significantly different from that in the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In vitro, genistein may inhibit the proliferation of RLECs via the inhibition of the activity of the cell membrane RTPK.