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Published on: September 13, 2016
Effect of berberine on barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line
Hu-Shan Cui1, Seiji Hayasaka, Xue-Yun Zhang
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. ophthal@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
Purpose:
To examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on the disruption of the barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).
Methods:
ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1beta were added to the medium. Barrier functions were evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and the permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and sodium fluorescein (SF).
Results:
Berberine dose-dependently inhibited decreased TER and increased the permeability to HRP and SF in the cells stimulated with IL-1beta.
Conclusions:
Berberine dose-dependently inhibited the disruption of the barrier function in the ARPE-19 cell line induced by IL-1beta.
