Toxic effect of high glucose on cardiomyocytes, H9c2 cells: Induction of oxidative stress and ameliorative effect of trolox

Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including diabetes mellitus, characterized by hyperglycemia. In the present study, OS induced by hyperglycemia and the effect of trolox, a vitamin E analog, were studied in cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cells exposed to 15 to 33mM glucose (HG) for 24 to 72hours in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium. Cells treated wirh 24 or 33mM glucose for 24hours orabove showed decreased viability and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content with a concomitant increase in radicals of oxygen species, calcium (Ca2+), mitochondrial permeability transition, and oxidative markers, confirming that the cells were under stress. However, upon exposure to 15mM glucose for 24hours, H9c2 cells maintained homeostasis and ATP generation. Pretreatment of cells with trolox reduced HG-induced OS to control levels. Here, we report that the toxic effect of HG is highly regulated and that OS induction can be prevented with Trolox, a potential inhibitor of membrane damage.