To investigate the effect of high glucose (HG) on the oxidative stress in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC).

Primarily cultured HTMC were exposed to low glucose (5 mM) and HG (25 mM) for 7 days. Additionally, 1 mM L-arginine, 5 mM DAHP, 10 µg/ml insulin, 100 µM L-ascorbic acid, 10, and 100 µM sepiapterin were co-exposed. The cellular survival and nitric oxide (NO) production were assessed by MTT assay and Griess assay, respectively. Superoxide production was measured by modified cytochrome c assay.

HG did not affect the survival of cultured HTMC significantly. HG decreased NO production. Co-exposed DAHP decreased but DAHP and insulin increased NO production. In addition, HG increased superoxide production, which was decreased by insulin, L-ascorbic acid, and sepiapterin.

HG decreased NO production accompanied with increased superoxide production in HTMC. Thus HG induces oxidative stress in HTMC and may cause cellular dysfunction and damage of the trabecular meshwork.