The Effect of the Dietary Polyphenols Quercetin and Resveratrol on Wound Healing in Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells in Vitro

The corneal endothelium is a monolayer of cells critical in maintaining a transparent cornea. Its cells are amitotic during adulthood; thus, tissue repair depends primarily on cellular growth and migration. Enhancing repair may improve recovery time from surgical procedures and corneal diseases that damage the endothelium. Inflammation resulting from endothelial injury is characterized by increased concentrations of free radicals in the endothelium and aqueous humor, slowing wound repair. The antioxidant vitamins and antioxidant enzymes neutralize free radicals, but damage can occur when this system is overwhelmed by high concentrations of reactive oxygen species. This project develops an in vitro model of endothelial wound repair and investigates the effects of the dietary antioxidants quercetin and resveratrol on wound healing of cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells. Cells from confluent cultures are mechanically ablated with a silica gel-tipped tool. Cultures are then treated with combinations of peroxide and antioxidants and monitored at twenty-four hour increments. Cell migration into the wounded area is documented by phase-contrast microscopy. Significant wound-healing inhibition is present in the presence of I00micro hydrogen peroxide (p\u3c0.00I). Although no significant effect is observed with the addition of 50micro quercetin or 40micro resveratrol, higher concentrations lead to additional significant wound-healing inhibition