A comparative study of phytoestrogen action in mitigating apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.

The phytoestrogens kaempferol, genistein and genistin were characterized using in vitro assays utilizing iodoacetic acid (IAA)-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. RGC-5 cells were treated with different concentrations of IAA, and phytoestrogens were administered along with IAA. IAA is cytotoxic to RGC-5 cells and induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro.

Comparison of expression profile of neurotrophins and their receptors in primary and transformed rat retinal ganglion cells.

Purpose: To determine the expression profile of neurotrophins and their receptors in cultured primary rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the transformed RGC-5 cells.

Methods: Confocal microscopic immunocytochemistry with double fluorescent labeling with thy-1 as a marker for RGCs was used to demonstrate expression of neurotrophins and their receptors. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect secretion of neurotrophins by RGC-5 cells.