Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 16, 2013
The protective effect of simvastatin against ultraviolet B-induced corneal endothelial cell death
Yi-Ru Ho1, Chih-Hung Lin2, Chan-Yen Kuo3
1Department of Medical Research and Development, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
Purpose:
Excessive ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure causing corneal endothelium injury, including apoptosis, is a serious condition. Therefore, drugs that can inhibit apoptosis in corneal endothelial cells represent an effective strategy. Simvastatin is widely used as a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, can reduce levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. However, the protective effect of simvastatin on corneal endothelial cells remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate whether UVB promotes the initiation of apoptosis in corneal endothelial cells and injury reversible by simvastatin treatment.
Methods:
We detected the cell viability, subG1 population, and caspase-3 activity.
Results:
Results showed that simvastatin alleviates UVB-induced cell death, cell apoptosis, and caspase-3 activity.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicated that simvastatin alleviated UVB-induced corneal endothelial cell apoptosis via caspase-3 activity.
Related Concept Videos
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
Protection of Alcohols
Protection
It defines a protecting group as the masking agent to make the more reactive species inert to a given set of conditions. This concept is depicted via the illustration of liquid flow through different outlets in an assembly of pipes. The analogy helps to understand the role...
Zones of Protection
Protective zones are defined by closed dashed lines, containing one or more components. A key characteristic of these zones is the strategic placement of...
Radial System Protection
In a radial system with a fault downstream of the third breaker, ideally, only the third breaker will open, isolating the fault and interrupting the load connected beyond it. The second breaker has a longer delay setting,...

