Growth hormone - releasing hormone antagonists protect endothelial corneal cells against lipopolysaccharides-induced inflammation.

The corneal endothelium preserves corneal transparency by regulating water movement between the anterior chamber and the stroma. Pathological conditions may lead to progressive corneal edema due to impairment of the endothelial pump-barrier function. In this study, we investigated the effects of JV-1-36, which is a growth hormone - releasing hormone antagonist (GHRHAnt), in an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced corneal endothelial injury. Our findings suggest that JV-1-36 alleviates the effects of LPS in endothelial corneal cells, suppresses endothelial hyperpermeability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitigates MAPK and STAT activation, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production.