Metformin Prevents H2O2-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 (H2O2)-induced cellular senescence and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of lens epithelial cell senescence. Material/Methods: We used H2O2 to establish senescence in human lens epithelial B3 cells. The cells were exposed to H2O2 for different numbers of days to mimic aging. Senescence was assessed by senescence-associated b-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 mu M H2O2 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 mu M H2O2 for 7 days exhibited senescence. The expression levels of senescence-related markers were increased in H2O2-treated cells. Metformin prevented H2O2-induced cellular senescence in human lens epithelial B3 cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that senescence marker expression is increased in the cells exposed to H2O2. Metformin protects human lens epithelial B3 cells from H2O2-induced senescence.