Trypan blue not toxic for retinal pigment epithelium in vitro

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether trypan blue has a toxic effect on cultured retinal pigment epithelial (retinal pigment epithelium) cells.

Design: Experimental study with a direct live/dead cell staining technique using fluorescent dyes.

Methods: Cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells were exposed for 5 minutes to various concentrations of trypan blue (0.06%, 0.15%, 0.30%), and cell viability was confocally measured.

Results: No increased cell death was found in cultures incubated in any of the trypan blue concentrations used.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that a short exposure of trypan blue does not have a toxic effect on cultured retinal pigment epithelium cells.