Evalution of oxidative stress in diabetic animals by in vivo electron spin resonance measurement--role of protein kinase C

Enhanced oxidative stress may be an important contributor to the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complication. Although hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in diabetes has been well documented, exact source in vivo remains to be elucidated. Here we report a role of protein kinase C (PKC) in oxidative stress in diabetic animals using a technique of in vivo electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement that has been developed for direct and non-invasive analysis of free radical generation in living animals. First, using this measurement, we confirmed that streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats which showed a significant increase in free radical generation, which was restored by alpha-tocopherol treatment. Treatment of PKC inhibitor CGP41251 (50 mg/kg) or NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor apocynin (5 mg/kg) restored the increased free radical generation in those diabetic animals. In conclusion, the present study provided the evidence that PKC-dependent activation of vascular NAD(P)H oxidase may be a major source in enhanced oxidative stress in diabetes in vivo. This may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications.