Effect of Amniotic Membrane Extract on Cultured Human Nasal Mucosa Fibroblasts

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of amniotic membrane extract (AME) on the survival of cultured human nasal mucosa fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary cultured human nasal mucosa fibroblasts were exposed to 0, 10, 20, or 30 microg/mL AME for 3 days. The survival of the human nasal mucosa fibroblasts was measured using the MTT assay and apoptosis was evaluated with flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining. RESULTS: AME decreased significantly in fibroblast proliferation after exposure to 10 microg/mL (p = 0.000), and caused significant apoptosis of the fibroblasts after exposure to 10 microg/mL (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: AME decreased fibroblast proliferation in vitro at least through induction of apoptosis. Therefore, adjuvant use of AME during endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy may improve clinical outcomes.