Metformin Prevents H₂O₂-Induced Senescence in Human Lens Epithelial B3 Cells

BACKGROUND The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of metformin against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cellular senescence and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of lens epithelial cell senescence. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used H₂O₂ to establish senescence in human lens epithelial B3 cells. The cells were exposed to H₂O₂ for different numbers of days to mimic aging. Senescence was assessed by senescence-associated ß-galactosidase staining, and the molecular mechanism was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. The cultured cells were exposed to 150 μM H₂O₂ for 7 days with or without metformin to detect the underlying molecular mechanism of lens epithelial cell senescence. RESULTS The lens epithelial cells exposed to 150 µM H₂O₂ for 7 days exhibited senescence. The expression levels of senescence-related markers were increased in H₂O₂-treated cells. Metformin prevented H₂O₂-induced cellular senescence in human lens epithelial B3 cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that senescence marker expression is increased in the cells exposed to H₂O₂. Metformin protects human lens epithelial B3 cells from H₂O₂-induced senescence.