To investigate the effects of genistein on the survival and production of nitric oxide in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC).

Primarily cultured HTMC were exposed to 0, 1, and 10 µm genistein using serum-deprived media. Production of nitric oxide and eNOS activity were assessed with the Griess assay and RT-PCR after exposure to genistein for 10 min and one day. Cellular survival was assessed via MTT assay after exposure to genistein for one day.

Genistein significantly increased the production of nitric oxide after exposure for 1 min at 10 µm and for 1 day at 1 µm under serum-deprived conditions. Genistein increased eNOS activity and cellular survival in HTMC.

Genistein increases cellular survival under serum-deprived conditions, accompanied with an increase in nitric oxide production after both short-term and long-term exposures.