The Effects of Glucose Concentrations on Reactive Oxygen products in Human Lens Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of glucose concentrations on the formation of reactive oxygen products and cellular injury in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells. METHODS: Human lens epithelial (HLE) cells were cultured with high glucose (200 mg/100 ml, 300 mg/100 ml, 400 mg/100 ml) and normal glucose (100 mg/100 ml) contained Modified Egle's Medium (MEM). The amounts of reactive oxygen products were assayed by dihydroethidium (DHE). Paraquat-induced cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 -diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. RESULTS Reactive oxygen products of human lens epithelial cells increased 110%, 250% and 630% in the high glucose (200 mg/100 ml, 300 mg/100 ml, 400 mg/100 ml) media compared to the normal glucose (100 mg/100 ml) media. The paraquat-induced cells toxicity was increased by the high glucose. CONCLUSIONS: High glucose increased the formation of reactive oxygen products in human lens epithelial cells. These results suggest that high glucose can induce cataract formation in diabetic patients.