Glucose challenge stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by leucocytes

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased ROS generation, oxidative in jury and obesity. To elucidate the relationship between nutrition and ROS g eneration, we have investigated the effect of glucose challenge on ROS gene ration by leucocytes, p47(phox) protein, a key protein in the enzyme NADPH oxidase and alpha -tocopherol levels. Blood samples were drawn from 14 norm al subjects prior to, at 1, 2 and 3 h following ingestion of 75 g glucose. ROS generation by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and mononuclear cells (MNC) increased to a peak of 244 +/- 42% and 233 +/- 34% of the basal resp ectively at 2h. The levels of p47(phox) in MNC homogenates increased signif icantly at 2 h and 3 h after glucose intake. alpha -Tocopherol levels decre ased significantly at 1 h, 2 h and 3 h. We conclude that glucose intake sti mulates ROS generation and p47(phox) of NADPH oxidase; increases oxidative load and causes a fall in alpha -tocopherol concentration.