谷氨酰胺对脂多糖诱导鼠心肌细胞损伤的保护作用

目的 观察谷氨酰胺(Gln)对脂多糖(LPS)诱导鼠心肌细胞损伤的保护作用及可能机制.方法 乳鼠心肌细胞原代培养分成四组:G组,给予5 mM Gln; GL组,给予5 mM Gln+4μg/ml LPS;L组,给予4μg/ml LPS;C组(对照组)给予等量双蒸水.细胞干预处理6 h后,测定各组心肌细胞生存率、心肌细胞培养液乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力、心肌细胞热休克蛋白(HSP)70及胞核热休克因子(HSF)-1蛋白水平和心肌细胞核HSF-1转录活性.结果 四组心肌细胞生存率差异无统计学意义.GL组、L组细胞培养液LDH活力明显高于C组(P<0.05),L组高于GL组.G、GL、L组细胞HSP 70蛋白表达水平、细胞核HSF-1蛋白表达水平及转录活性明显高于C组(P<0.05),GL组明显高于G组和L组(P<0.05).结论 Gln减少LPS诱导鼠心肌细胞的损伤,可能与Gln增加心肌细胞核内HSF-1水平及转录活性,进而促进HSP70蛋白表达有关.     

外源性褪黑素在人类未成熟卵母细胞体外成熟中的应用研究

目的通过在体外成熟（IVM）培养基中加入褪黑素,探索外源性褪黑素在人类未成熟卵母细胞IVM中的作用,以期优化人类未成熟卵母细胞IVM的培养体系。方法在人类未成熟卵母细胞IVM培养体系中添加不同浓度的褪黑素,以排出第一极体作为判断其核成熟的标准,比较不同浓度下的核成熟率。结果与对照组（褪黑素0mol／L）相比,外源性褪黑素在10^-11mol／L、10^-9mol／L和10^-7mol／L时人类未成熟卵母细胞的核成熟率有提高,但只有褪黑素在10^-9mol／L时人类未成熟卵母细胞的核成熟率呈显著性提高（63．6％VS．40．9％,87．7VS．54．2％,68．2％VS．45．5％,90．4VS．69．4％）（P〈0．05）;当外源性褪黑素浓度增加到10。mol／L和10。mol／L时,人类未成熟卵母细胞的核成熟率显示稍低于对照组,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但与10^-11mol／L、10^-9mol／L和10^-7mol／L组相比则呈显著性降低（P〈0．05）。结论外源性褪黑素在适当浓度时可以促进人类未成熟卵母细胞的核成熟,而在浓度超出一定范围时,则可能对卵母细胞的核成熟造成负面影响。     

热休克蛋白70表达对未成熟心肌和心肌间质的保护作用

目的 观察热休克蛋白70(HSP70)对未成熟心肌和心肌间质的保护作用.方法 健康新生长耳大白兔30只随机分为5组.对照组:腹腔注射生理盐水0.4 ml 24 h后取离体心脏,建立Langendorff离体心脏灌注模型;E4h、E12h、E24h、E48h组,腹腔注射去甲肾上腺素,4、12、24、48 h后分别取离体心脏,方法同对照组.测定心肌细胞中HSPT0含量、血流动力学指标、心肌含水量(MWC)、心肌肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)漏出率、三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量、心肌组织羟脯氨酸(HP)含量、内皮素(ET)含量、心肌细胞内Ca2+含量、心肌线粒体Ca2+-ATPase活性及其Ca2+含量、心肌线粒体合成ATP能力[ATP]m,心肌超微结构.结果 E24h组与其他各组比较,HSPT0含量明显增高(P＜0.01),MWC(72.48±1.36)低于其他各组(P＜0.05),ATP含量(11.64±1.87)、SOD活性(235.83±12.30)、心肌线粒体Ca2+-AT-Pase活性(18.46±1.95)、[ATP]m(106.26±9.42),HP含量(6.45±1.53)优于其他各组(P＜0.01),MDA含量(1.17±0.12)、CK(57.38±4.75),LDH漏出率(37.28±3.26)、心肌细胞内Ca2+含量(2.54±0.34)、心肌线粒体Ca2+含量(38.37±3.61)、ET含量(76.84±10.37)低于其他各组(P＜0.01),心肌超微结构损伤较其他各组明显减轻.结论 腹腔注射去甲肾上腺素24 h后可诱导未成熟心肌HSP70高表达,一定量的HSP70表达可明显减轻未成熟心肌和心肌间质的缺血再灌注损伤.     

热休克蛋白在子宫颈癌中的表达及其意义

目的探讨热休克蛋白(heat shock proteins,HSPs)在子宫颈癌组织中的表达情况及意义。方法采用PT—PCRH和免疫印迹法检测HSPs在子宫颈癌组织及正常子宫组织中的蛋白和mRNA的表达水平。结果癌组织中HSP70、HSP86及αB晶状体蛋白表达较正常组织明显增多(P<0.05),且HSP70表达最高(P<0.01)。结论 HSP70在子宫颈癌组织中表达显著增高。     

大鼠膀胱肿瘤热应激后热休克蛋白70肽复合物的纯化及其抑瘤效应

目的分离纯化经亚高温盆腔区域热疗处理后大鼠膀胱肿瘤组织中的热休克蛋白70肽复合物（HSP70-PC），研究其对原位的大鼠膀胱肿瘤的治疗效应。方法经尿道膀胱灌注MNU诱导出大鼠膀胱肿瘤，用内生场热疗系统加热大鼠盆腔后取出膀胱肿瘤，用改良的液相色谱法分离纯化HSP70-PC，用SDS—PAGE、Western blot、SELDI—TOF-MS鉴定纯化的HSP70及与其结合的多肽。将大鼠分为肿瘤对照组、HSP70治疗组，治疗1月后进行病理研究。结果纯化获得的蛋白质经SDS—PAGE、Western blot、SELDI—TOF—MS鉴定，证实为HSP70-PC。HSP70-PC治疗组膀胱及肿瘤湿重低于对照组、肿瘤分期低于对照组（P〈0．01）。肿瘤分级两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。膀胱肿瘤组织中CD8阳性细胞率、脾脏S-100蛋白阳性细胞率及CD8阳性细胞率、肿瘤细胞凋亡指数均高于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论应用改良的液相色谱法可以纯化出高纯度的HSP70-PC，该蛋白复合物具有上调肿瘤鼠的细胞免疫状态，促进肿瘤细胞凋亡的作用。     

褪黑素对老化卵母细胞体外发育能力的改善效果评价

目的探讨体外培养阶段(IVC)添加褪黑素(MT)对卵母细胞老化引起发育受损的改善效果。方法采用不同浓度的过氧化氢(H_2O_2)处理小鼠MII期卵母细胞诱导老化,浓度分别为0(对照组)、10、50、100、150μmol/L,体外受精(IVF)后统计各组二细胞率、囊胚形成率,检测老化卵母细胞的线粒体活性及丰度(Mitotracker Red、JC-1)、活性氧(ROS)水平、线粒体拷贝数等指标;在100μmol/L H_2O_2处理条件下,老化卵母细胞在IVF后的培养阶段分别添加不同浓度褪黑素(10-5、10-7、10-9 mol/L),统计二细胞率、囊胚率,并且分别检测各组获得囊胚的细胞数及凋亡率。结果不同浓度H_2O_2诱导卵母细胞老化后,囊胚发育率随H_2O_2浓度的升高而降低,50μmol/L和100μmol/L H_2O_2组囊胚形成率分别为(26.27±0.06)%和(28.46±3.45)%,相比对照组的(34.90±1.77)%显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);在H_2O_2诱导老化卵母细胞中,100μmol/L、150μmol/L H_2O_2浓度时,ROS水平相比对照组显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);而活性线粒体的丰度及拷贝数呈现下降趋势,膜电位呈上升趋势,但相比对照组无显著性差异(P0.05);100μmol/L H_2O_2处理诱导卵母细胞老化后,在培养液中添加10-9 mol/L褪黑素组与老化对照组相比,囊胚率[(29.42±2.39)%vs.(20.87±4.12)%]、囊胚细胞数(39.36±9.78vs.37.91±4.25)均显著升高,凋亡率显著下降(2.57%vs.3.18%),差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);并且这些指标均达到与未经老化处理组的相似发育水平。结论老化卵母细胞体外受精后发育率和发育质量偏低的现象,可以通过在受精后体外培养阶段添加褪黑素得到改善。     

热休克蛋白70家族的功能和在神经保护中的作用

脑缺血耐受的实验研究发现，诱导热休克蛋白70家族(HSP70)的表达增加可能是内源性脑保护机制之一。HSP70包括两种蛋白：Hsp70(诱导型)和Hsc70(结构型)。本文就这两种蛋白的功能、表达的调节及在不同应激反应中表达的相关性作一综述。     

褪黑素对烫伤大鼠毛囊细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的 了解早期应用褪黑素对烫伤大鼠皮肤残留毛囊细胞的保护作用.方法 将18只雄性SD大鼠分为烫伤组、治疗组和假伤组,每组6只.在烫伤组和治疗组大鼠背部造成30%TBSA的深Ⅱ度烫伤,假伤组浸入37℃水中25 s致假伤.烫伤组和治疗组大鼠在伤后1 h补充平衡盐液抗休克,假伤组不补液.治疗组大鼠伤后1 min和8、16 h腹腔注射褪黑素溶液(10 mg/kg).烫伤组和假伤组腹腔注射相同剂量的乙醇-等渗盐水溶液(两者体积比为1:99).于伤后6、12、24 h采集各组大鼠致伤区皮肤组织,检测丙二醛(MDA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量.采用原位缺口末端标记法和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3(caspase-3)免疫组织化学法,检测致伤区皮肤组织残留毛囊细胞凋亡情况.结果 烫伤组大鼠伤后各时相点皮肤组织MDA含量均显著高于假伤组(P＜0.01),且伤后12 h升高达峰值;治疗组MDA含量较烫伤组明显降低(P＜0.05).GSH的变化情况与MDA相反.在荧光显微镜下可见残留的毛囊细胞呈蓝色,凋亡细胞呈绿色.烫伤组伤后6、12、24h细胞凋亡率分别为(20.2±3.4)%、(31.2±3.6)%、(22.4±2.7)%,均明显高于假伤组[(4.3±2.3)%、(5.1±2.5)%、(4.1±2.4)%,P＜0.01].治疗组伤后6、12、24 h细胞凋亡率分别为(10.9±3.2)%、(19.1±3.7)%、(13.1±3.4)%,均明显低于烫伤组(P＜0.05).烫伤组各时相点caspase-3阳性细胞评分均高于假伤组(P＜0.01),而治疗组均低于烫伤组(P＜0.05).结论 大面积深Ⅱ度烫伤后,大鼠氧化应激水平与毛囊细胞凋亡率关系密切;早期应用褪黑素,可以改善机体的氧化应激程度,进而对皮肤残留的毛囊细胞产生抗凋亡作用.     

热休克蛋白70对肾脏缺血预处理保护作用的研究

目的 :研究缺血预处理对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用 ,观察热休克蛋白 70 (HSP70 )的表达变化并探讨其作用机制。方法 :建立大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤模型并进行缺血预处理 ,实验分组 :假手术组 (S组 )、缺血再灌注组 (IR组 )和缺血预处理组 (PC组 )。各组再灌注后检测血清肌酐 (Scr)、肾组织丙二醛 (MDA)含量 ,肾组织石蜡切片苏木精伊红染色以及免疫组化染色。结果 :PC组Scr值、肾小管病理评分、肾组织中MDA含量明显低于IR组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,PC组与S组比较差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;HSP70免疫组化染色 :S组未见明显的阳性反应产物 ,PC组和IR组肾小管上皮细胞胞质可见棕黄色阳性反应产物。计算机图像分析显示PC组灰度值显著高于IR组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :缺血预处理对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤有明显保护作用 ,其作用机制可能与HSP70本身的细胞保护作用及HSP70的细胞内抗氧化作用有关     

过氧化物还原酶4在睾丸热应激时的保护作用

目的:以过氧化物还原酶4(PRDX4)基因全敲除(PRDX4~(-/y))小鼠为模型,研究PRDX4在睾丸热应激时的保护作用。方法:采用CRISPR/Cas 9技术对C57BL/6小鼠进行PRDX4基因全敲除,以野生型小鼠为对照,各24只。生长至性成熟(9周),PRDX4~(-/y)和野生型组各12只小鼠睾丸43℃水浴热应激15 min,1次/d,连续3 d;每组以25℃水浴作为热应激处理的对照。处理前、处理后1 d和处理恢复5周后,各组均分别处死4只小鼠,取双侧睾丸组织,采用HE染色观察组织学变化、TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡率、Western印迹检测PRDX4表达水平、免疫组化染色观察氧化应激因子(HNE和8-OHdG)表达水平。结果:与野生型小鼠比较,PRDX4基因全敲除小鼠的睾丸组织学、细胞凋亡和氧化应激因子表达差异不显著(P>0.05)。43℃水浴热应激处理后PRDX4~(-/y)小鼠[(38.65±2.57)%]和野生型小鼠[(13.21±1.434)%]生精细胞凋亡均显著升高(P<0.01),PRDX4~(-/y)小鼠生精细胞凋亡率增加2倍,5周后生精功能恢复较野生型差。热应激处理后,PRDX4~(-/y)小鼠睾丸8-OHdG(38.25±1.19)较野生型小鼠(24.30±1.65)表达水平显著增加(P<0.01),而两组HNE的表达水平无显著差异(P>0.05);恢复5周后,PRDX4~(-/y)小鼠生精细胞凋亡仍显著高于野生型小鼠[(3.09±0.16)%vs(1.45±0.11)%,P<0.01)],PRDX4~(-/y)小鼠睾丸生精细胞HNE的表达水平也高于对照组(28.57±0.56 vs 19±1.35,P<0.01),8-OHdG的表达水平也仍较对照组升高,但差异无显著性。结论:PRDX4在睾丸处于应激状态时具有重要的保护性作用,并促进睾丸生精功能恢复。     

Glutamine protects articular chondrocytes from heat stress and NO-induced apoptosis with HSP70 expression

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of l-glutamine (Gln) on stress responses of chondrocytes exposed to heat stress or nitric oxide (NO). METHODS: Cultures of articular chondrocytes were established from rabbit joints, and treated for 12h with various concentrations of Gln (0-20 mM). In some experiments, cells were also treated with quercetin (Que), a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) inhibitor. Heat stress (43 degrees C) was applied to the cells for 0-120 min. Apoptosis was induced by 0.5mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) dihydrate that produces NO. After stress loading, HSP70 expression was detected by Western blot analysis. Cell viability was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and tetrazolium salt-based assays, while apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining, TUNEL methods and active caspase-3 determination. RESULTS: Gln demonstrated dose-dependent enhancing effect on stress-mediated induction of HSP70, while in the absence of any stress HSP70 was not induced by Gln alone. After heating or SNP loading, chondrocytes showed severe reduction in viability, while the cytotoxic outcome was almost completely abrogated by conditioning with Gln. The protective effect of Gln was significantly blocked by Que that effectively suppressed stress-induced HSP70 expression in chondrocytes. The Gln also rendered chondrocytes unsusceptible to NO-induced apoptosis that was frequently seen in SNP-treated culture. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the treatment of chondrocytes with Gln protected the cells from heat stress and NO-induced apoptosis. These chondroprotective effects of Gln may be mediated by HSP70.     

褪黑素抑制高糖诱导的大鼠肾小球系膜细胞凋亡

目的探讨褪黑素（MT）对于高糖诱导的肾小球系膜细胞（MC）凋亡中的作用及机制。方法光学显微镜观察大鼠MC凋亡的形态学变化;流式AnnexinV／PI双染法检测不同浓度MT对大鼠MC细胞凋亡率的影响;免疫细胞化学检测细胞色素C的表达改变。结果MT对30mmol／L葡萄糖诱导的MC高凋亡率有明显的抑制作用,呈剂量依赖性关系;并能明显抑制细胞色素C的表达。结论MT可抑制高糖诱导的大鼠MC高凋亡率,这种作用部分通过调控细胞色素C来实现的。     

Oxidant conditioning protects cartilage from mechanically induced damage

Articular cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis has been linked to abnormal mechanical stresses that are known to cause chondrocyte apoptosis and metabolic derangement in in vitro models. Evidence implicating oxidative damage as the immediate cause of these harmful effects suggests that the antioxidant defenses of chondrocytes might influence their tolerance for mechanical injury. Based on evidence that antioxidant defenses in many cell types are stimulated by moderate oxidant exposure, we hypothesized that oxidant preconditioning would reduce acute chondrocyte death and proteoglycan depletion in cartilage explants after exposure to abnormal mechanical stresses. Porcine cartilage explants were treated every 48 h with tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide (tBHP) at nonlethal concentrations (25, 100, 250, and 500 µM) for a varying number of times (one, two, or four) prior to a bout of unconfined axial compression (5 MPa, 1 Hz, 1800 cycles). When compared with untreated controls, tBHP had significant positive effects on post‐compression viability, lactate production, and proteoglycan losses. Overall, the most effective regime was 100 µM tBHP applied four times. RNA analysis revealed significant effects of 100 µM tBHP on gene expression. Catalase, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1alpha (HIF‐1α), and glyceraldehyde 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were significantly increased relative to untreated controls in explants treated four times with 100 µM tBHP, a regime that also resulted in a significant decrease in matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3) expression. These findings demonstrate that repeated exposure of cartilage to sublethal concentrations of peroxide can moderate the acute effects of mechanical stress, a conclusion supported by evidence of peroxide‐induced changes in gene expression that could render chondrocytes more resistant to oxidative damage. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:914–920, 2010     

姜黄素保护大鼠肾小管上皮细胞对抗氧化应激引起的损伤作用

目的 探讨姜黄素对氧化应激诱导大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞 (NRK-52E) 损伤作用的影响。 方法 用不同浓度的H2O2处理NRK-52E细胞,建立氧化应激损伤NRK-52E的实验模型。应用Hoechst 33258染色法观察凋亡细胞的形态学改变;PI染色流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率;Western印迹法检测Bcl-2蛋白的表达。 结果 H2O2在100~500 μmol/L浓度范围内处理NRK-52E细胞24 h,呈浓度依赖性地增加细胞的凋亡率;500 μmol/L H2O2能显著抑制NRK-52E细胞Bcl-2的表达（P < 0.05）。20 μmol/L和40 μmol/L姜黄素能显著阻断H2O2对NRK-52E细胞的致凋亡作用[（32.9±8.1）%、（22.23±9.3）%比（72.7±10.5）%,均P < 0.05],并能显著拮抗H2O2对Bcl-2蛋白表达的下调作用（P < 0.05）。40 μmol/L姜黄素本身也能上调Bcl-2蛋白的表达（P < 0.05）。 结论 姜黄素能保护NRK-52E细胞对抗氧化应激引起的细胞凋亡,此肾小管上皮细胞保护作用可能与其抑制H2O2对Bcl-2蛋白表达的下调作用有关。     

Melatonin: an antioxidant protects against cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine (CsA) causes a dose-related decrease in renal function in experimental animals. Different mediators for CsA nephrotoxicity have been suggested; oxygen free radicals are one of them. In experimental model of Wistar rats, the role of antioxidant melatonin (Mel), the main product of pineal secretion, was investigated in CsA nephrotoxicity. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: saline control, 50 mg/kg CsA, 500 microg/kg Mel, and CsA + Mel. At the end of 14th day of treatment, blood urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde, and creatinine and lithium clearance were estimated. Histopathological examination of kidney from all the groups was performed. RESULTS: CsA caused marked elevation in blood urea, serum creatinine, and plasma malondialdehyde and a decrease in creatinine and lithium clearance. Mel significantly antagonized CsA-induced renal impairment. Microcalcification in corticomedullary junction seen with CsA was prevented by Mel. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Mel, through its antioxidant properties, provides protection against CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.     

二氢欧山芹通过调节自噬保护高糖诱导的足细胞损伤

目的 探讨二氢欧山芹(columbianetin,CBT)对高糖诱导的足细胞损伤保护作用及其机制研究.方法 体外培养永生化小鼠足细胞系MPC-5,给予高浓度的葡萄糖刺激,观察CBT对高糖诱导的足细胞损伤及自噬的影响;采用蛋白质印迹法检测足细胞自噬相关蛋白;荧光显微镜观察GFP-LC3-Ⅱ转染后足细胞绿色荧光颗粒.结果 ...     

褪黑素对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

探讨褪黑素(MEL)对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤(IRI)的保护作用，在大鼠肝脏热缺血再灌注模型缺血前30min腹腔注射MEL(10mg/kg)，缺血45 min后恢复血流灌注，并于灌注2h, 24h后心腔取血测定血清天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)，同时取肝组织行病理组织学检查及细胞凋亡检测。结果缺血再灌注组(IR组)AST，ALT，AKP及肝细胞凋亡数均明显高于正常对照组（N组）(P<0.01)，褪黑素预处理组（MEL组）则明显低于IR组(P<0.05)，而高于N组（P<0.01或0.05）。MEL组肝脏病理组织学改变明显轻于IR组，重于N组。提示MEL对肝缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition protects the kidney from hypertension-induced damage

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET) have antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties and play a role in the maintenance of renal vascular function. A novel approach to increase EET levels is to inhibit epoxide hydrolase enzymes that are responsible for conversion of biologically active EET to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET). We hypothesized that soluble epoxide hydrolase (SEH) inhibition would improve renal vascular function and ameliorate hypertension induced renal damage. Chronic administration of the specific SEH inhibitor 1-cyclohexyl-3-dodecylurea (CDU, 3 mg/d) for 10 d lowered BP in angiotensin hypertensive rats. The contribution of renal vascular SEH to afferent arteriolar function in angiotensin hypertension was also assessed. SEH protein expression was increased in renal microvessels from hypertensive rats. Although CDU did not change afferent arteriolar responsiveness to angiotensin in normotensive animals, CDU treatment significantly attenuated afferent arteriolar diameter responses to angiotensin in hypertensive kidneys from 51% +/- 8% to 28% +/- 7%. Protection of the renal vasculature and glomerulus during chronic CDU administration was demonstrated by histology. Urinary albumin excretion, an index of renal damage, was also lower in CDU-treated hypertensive rats. These data demonstrate that SEH inhibition has antihypertensive and renal vascular protective effects in angiotensin hypertension and suggests that SEH inhibitors may be a useful therapeutic intervention for cardiovascular diseases.     

HGF protects rat mesangial cells from high-glucose-mediated oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been considered to be a common pathogenetic factor of diabetic nephropathy. Recent observations suggested that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was an antioxidant growth factor; thus, its renoprotective effects in diabetic nephropathy might be related to antioxidant mechanism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether HGF could prevent rat mesangial cells (RMC) from high-glucose-mediated oxidative stress and explore its relevant mechanism. METHODS: RMC were cultured in 5.6 mM (NG) or 30 mM (HG) glucose in the absence or presence of HGF (20 ng/ml) and c-met inhibitor SU11274 (5 microM) for 24 h. RESULTS: c-met expression in HG was markedly increased. Enhanced oxidative stress was observed in HG as evidenced by elevated reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels and decreased glutathione level, which was markedly attenuated by HGF. HGF also inhibited HG-induced p22(phox) and aldose reductase upregulation and prevented HG-reduced glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) expression through inhibiting USF binding to negative regulatory region of GCLC promoter. Reduced glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and expression in RMC by HG was rescued by HGF. CONCLUSION: HGF could function as an antioxidant factor and protect against HG-mediated oxidative stress by enhancing ROS scavenging and suppressing ROS production.