Effect of Genistein on the Survival and Production of Nitric Oxide in Trabecular Meshwork Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of genistein on the survival and production of nitric oxide in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC). METHODS: Primarily cultured HTMC were exposed to 0, 1, and 10 microm genistein using serum-deprived media. Production of nitric oxide and eNOS activity were assessed with the Griess assay and RT-PCR after exposure to genistein for 10 min and one day. Cellular survival was assessed via MTT assay after exposure to genistein for one day. RESULTS: Genistein significantly increased the production of nitric oxide after exposure for 1 min at 10 microm and for 1 day at 1 microm under serum-deprived conditions. Genistein increased eNOS activity and cellular survival in HTMC. CONCLUSIONS: Genistein increases cellular survival under serum-deprived conditions, accompanied with an increase in nitric oxide production after both short-term and long-term exposures.