Metformin Prevents H(2)O(2)-Induced Senescence in Human Lens Epithelial B3 Cells

BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of metformin against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cellular senescence and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of lens epithelial cell senescence. MATERIAL/METHODS: We used H(2)O(2) to establish senescence in human lens epithelial B3 cells. The cells were exposed to H(2)O(2) for different numbers of days to mimic aging. Senescence was assessed by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and the molecular mechanism was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. The cultured cells were exposed to 150 μM H(2)O(2) for 7 days with or without metformin to detect the underlying molecular mechanism of lens epithelial cell senescence. RESULTS: The lens epithelial cells exposed to 150 μM H(2)O(2) for 7 days exhibited senescence. The expression levels of senescence-related markers were increased in H(2)O(2)-treated cells. Metformin prevented H(2)O(2)-induced cellular senescence in human lens epithelial B3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that senescence marker expression is increased in the cells exposed to H(2)O(2). Metformin protects human lens epithelial B3 cells from H(2)O(2)-induced senescence.