Prolonged exposure to high glucose impaired cellular behavior of normal human corneal epithelial cells

To determine the effect of prolonged exposure to high glucose on cellular behavior of normal human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC).HCEC were cultured in medium under normal or high glucose conditions for 14 days. Proliferation was evaluated by direct cell counting and [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. The ability of HCEC to attach to type I collagen was evaluated using a short-term colorimetric adhesion assay. The effect of high glucose on the expression of integrin alpha(3)beta(1) was also evaluated using flow cytometry.Cell number and [(3)H]thymidine incorporation under high glucose conditions decreased compared with those under normal glucose conditions. The cells exposed to high glucose were G(0)/G(1) than untreated cells. The adhesion ability of HCEC under high glucose conditions decreased compared to normal glucose conditions. Expression of integrin alpha( 3)beta(1) was down-regulated under high glucose conditions.High glucose had deleterious effects on cellular behavior of HCEC, which might cause delayed corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetic keratopathy.