Effect of thioltransferase on oxidative stress induced by high glucose and advanced glycation end products in human lens epithelial cells

AIM: To study the effect of thioltransferase (TTase) on oxidative stress in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) induced by high glucose and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). METHODS: HLECs were treated with 35.5 mmol/L glucose or 1.5 mg/mL AGEs modified bovine serum albumin (AGEs-BSA) as the experimental groups, respectively. Cells were collected at the time point of 1, 2, 3, and 4d. The TTase activity were measured accordingly. TTase mRNA levels were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain response (qRT-RCR) and its protein level was detected by Western blot. The siRNA was used to knock down the expression of TTase. The activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ratio of oxidized glutathione/total glutathione (GSSG/T-GSH) were assessed in different groups, respectively. RESULTS: The level of TTase mRNA gradually increased and reached the top at 2d, then it decreased to the normal level at 4d, and the TTase activity increased from 2 to 3d in both high glucose and AGEs-BSA groups. The TTase expression elevated from 2d in high glucose group, and it began to rise from 3d in AGEs-BSA group. The activity of CAT and SOD showed a decrease and the content of ROS and the ratio of GSSG/T-GSH showed an increase in high glucose and AGEs-BSA group. These biochemical alterations were more prominent in the groups with TTase siRNA. CONCLUSION: High glucose and AGEs can increase ROS content in HLECs; therefore, it induces oxidative stress. This may result in the decreased GSH and increased GSSG content, impaired activity of SOD and CAT. The up-regulated TTase likely provides oxidation damage repair induced by high glucose and AGEs in the early stage.