Taurine reduces blue light-induced retinal neuronal cell apoptosis in vitro

AbstractBackground: The massive uptake of organic compatible osmolytes is a self-protective response to multiple stressors.Objective: This study aimed to determine the protective effects of the osmolyte taurine against blue light-induced apoptosis in retinal neuronal cells in vitro.Methods: Real-time PCR was used to measure osmolyte transport. Radioimmunoassays were performed to measure osmolyte uptake. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were conducted to measure cellular viability. Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure apoptosis.Results: Compared with normotonic stress, hypertonic stress-induced uptake of osmolytes, including betaine, myoinositol, and taurine, into the retinal neuronal cells. Blue light increased osmolyte transporter mRNA expression together with osmolyte uptake. Furthermore, taurine significantly suppressed blue light-induced retinal neuronal cell apoptosis.Conclusion: The compatible osmolyte taurine may have an important role in cell resistance to blue light and cell survival.