Effect of hydrocortisone on corneal endothelial cells in vitro.

The effect of hydrocortisone on the growth potential of human and baboon corneal endothelial cells in tissue culture was evaluated. Hydrocortisone-21-sodium succinate was incorporated into growth medium at 10(-3) to 10(-7) M concentrations in a standard tissue culture medium. Inclusion of hydrocortisone into growth medium at higher concentrations (e.g. 10(-4) and 10(-3) M) resulted in a significantly reduced cell growth and a decreased level of DNA synthesis. Higher concentrations of hydrocortisone induced morphological alterations in the corneal endothelial cells in vitro. The incorporation of 5% dextran into the growth medium failed to alter the negative hydrocortisone effects. These experiments suggest the potential adverse effects of hydrocortisone for the corneal endothelium in vitro when used at higher concentrations.