['The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of thymosin beta 4 (Tbeta(4)) treatment on human corneal epithelial cells exposed to ethanol in vitro. The efficacy of Tbeta(4) in preventing mitochondrial disruption and in inhibiting caspase-mediated apoptosis was examined.', 'Nontransformed human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) at passage 4 were untreated or treated with ethanol (20% for 20 seconds) or a combination of ethanol and Tbeta(4). The cells were allowed to recover from ethanol treatment for 24 hours. Mitochondrial membrane integrity and the release of cytochrome c to the cytoplasm were assessed using microscopy, Western blot, and ELISA. Bcl-2 expression and cell proliferation were measured using ELISA. Colorimetric activity assays were completed for caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9.', 'Tbeta(4) treatment decreased deleterious mitochondrial alterations, significantly decreased cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and increased Bcl-2 expression in ethanol-exposed human corneal epithelial cells. In ethanol-exposed corneal epithelium Tbeta(4) treatment inhibited caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9 activity, with caspase-8 showing the most significant inhibition. Tbeta(4) treatment resulted in no significant effect on the proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells after ethanol exposure.'] Does thymosin-beta4 inhibit corneal epithelial cell apoptosis after ethanol exposure in vitro?