SOD1 suppresses maternal hyperglycemia-increased iNOS expression and consequent nitrosative stress in diabetic embryopathy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress and increases inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. We hypothesized that oxidative stress is responsible for hyperglycemia-induced iNOS expression. STUDY DESIGN: iNOS-luciferase activities, nitrosylated protein, and lipid peroxidation markers 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde were determined in parietal yolk sac-2 cells exposed to 5 mmol/L glucose or high glucose (25 mmol/L) with or without copper zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) treatment. Levels of iNOS protein and messenger RNA, nitrosylated protein, and cleaved caspase-3 and -8 were assessed in wild-type embryos and SOD1-overexpressing embryos from nondiabetic and diabetic dams. RESULTS: SOD1 treatment diminished high glucose-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde reductions, and it blocked high glucose-increased iNOS expression, iNOS-luciferase activities, and nitrosylated protein. In vivo SOD1 overexpression suppressed hyperglycemia-increased iNOS expression and nitrosylated protein, and it blocked caspase-3 and -8 cleavage. CONCLUSION: We conclude that oxidative stress induces iNOS expression, nitrosative stress, and apoptosis in diabetic embryopathy.