Enhancement of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats under hyperbaric oxygen exposure

An important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which on activation induces superoxide production via oxidation in the mitochondria, inflammation and stress; such ROS are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, including neuropathy. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments are applied various diseases including diabetic patients with unhealing foot ulcers, however, and also increases the formation of ROS. In a previous study, we showed that a clinically recommended HBO treatment significantly enhanced oxidative stress of pancreatic tissue in the diabetic rats. However, no study has been undertaken with regard to the effects of HBO on the activity and gene expression of the NADPH oxidase complex and on apoptosis in the pancreas of diabetic animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of HBO exposure on gene expression of the NADPH complex, and pancreatic expression of genes related to apoptosis via the mitochondria, using the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. The mRNA expression of genes related to NADPH oxidase complex and apoptosis increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the pancreas of diabetic rats under HBO exposure. Similarly, activities of NADPH oxidase and caspase-3 changed in parallel with mRNA levels. These results suggest that oxidative stress caused by HBO exposure in diabetic animals induces further ROS production and apoptosis, potentially through the up-regulation of NADPH oxidase complex. Thus, this study can contribute to development of a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis via the mitochondria in diabetes, under HBO exposure.