Enhancement by glucose of low density lipoprotein-oxidation by peroxynitrite

Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) by copper ions is not influenced by glucose in a concentration range between 1 and 20 mM. LDL-oxidation by peroxynitrite or the simultaneous action of nitrogen monoxide and superoxid e, produced by morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) is considerably enhanced by t ypical hydroxyl-radical scavengers such as formate or mannitol and by gluco se. Since both free radicals, nitrogen monoxide and superoxide, are produce d by activated leukocytes and endothelial cells the presented reaction migh t represent a simple model for the cooperative function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glucose in certain diabetic blood vessel diseases such as atherogenesis and retinopathy.