[Effect of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate on cultured rabbit keratocytes (the second report)]

We examined the effect of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (P-Asc) on the proliferation of cultured rabbit keratocytes. P-Asc is a derivative of L-ascorbic acid and it yields more prolonged effects of vitamin C in solution than L-ascorbic acid. The proliferation of cultured rabbit keratocytes was promoted by the presence of P-Asc in culture medium for 10, 20, and 30 days. Transmission electron microscopic observations revealed that the cells were more multilayered in the presence of P-Asc (0.1mM) for thirty days than those in the absence of P-Asc. Moreover, this effect of P-Asc was attenuated by azetidine 2-carboxylic acid which is an inhibitor of collagen synthesis. Hence, it is suggested that the promotive effect of P-Asc on the growth of cultured keratocytes is related to the synthesis of collagen. Based on our observations, P-Asc may have a therapeutic effect on corneal stromal damages such as a corneal chemical burn and surgical trauma.