[Animal modeling] - Taurine has no protective effect on corneal endothelial cells in rats injured by Benzalkonium chloride

  Objective To observe the protective effect of 2% Taurine on corneal endothelial cells injured by Benzalkonium chloride in rats.

  Method: Three SPF grade SD rats (6 eyes in total) were selected, and 6 corneal endothelial layer and posterior elastic layer tissue slices were prepared for each eye. They were randomly divided into 3 groups. One day after the rat corneal endothelial cells were cultured by tissue culture method, the control group only added 2% Taurine solution, and the experimental group added 2% Taurine solution and then injected 0.01% and 0.03% Benzalkonium chloride solution respectively. After continuing to culture for 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 days, observe the growth of corneal endothelial cells in each group of rats under an inverted microscope, and observe the morphology of endothelial cells under an optical microscope after Wright staining.

  Results In the experimental group treated with 0.01% Benzalkonium chloride and 2% Taurine for one day, polygonal endothelial cells appeared at the edge of the corneal tissue block, and the cell body was transparent; After 2 days, the number of polygonal cells increased, but there was no fusion growth between cells; After 3 days, the number of polygonal cells decreased and no mitotic figures were observed in endothelial cells; After 4 days, endothelial cell nucleus staining deepened and polygonal cells were rare; After 5 days, the number of endothelial cells decreased and there was a phenomenon of cell body pyknosis and death. In the experimental group treated with 0.03% Benzalkonium chloride and 2% Taurine for one day, endothelial cell growth was not observed, and cell bodies were scattered sparsely. In the control group treated with 2% Taurine only, polygonal endothelial cells and a few endothelial polygonal cells appeared at the edge of the tissue block 1 day later; After 3 days, the number of polygonal cells at the edge of the tissue block increased, and there was a gradual fusion and growth phenomenon; After 5 days, the number of endothelial cells increased, and the cell shape was mostly hexagonal; After 8 days, the endothelial cells formed a large area, with a hexagonal or quasi circular cell body and a mitotic appearance of the nucleus. Corneal endothelial cells of left and right eyes grew evenly, and there was no significant difference in the morphology of left and right eye endothelial cells between the experimental group treated with 0.01% and 0.03% Benzalkonium chloride and the control group.

  Conclusion 2% Taurine has no protective effect on corneal endothelial cells of rats injured by different concentrations of Benzalkonium chloride solution.