Effect of Hyperosmotic stress on expression of aldose reductase gene in cultured rat Schwann cells

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 1998, Vol.76 (suppl.1), p.168-168
• Main Authors: Maekawa, Keiko, Tanimoto, Tsuyoshi, Okada, Satoshi, Suzuki, Takeshi, Suzuki, Tsunemasa, Yabe, Chihiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-5198; 1347-3506
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-5198(19)40782-8

Aldose reductase (AR), which catalyzes the conversion of glucose to sorbitol, constitutes the first step of the polyol pathway. Accelerated flux of this pathway is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of such diabetic complications as neuropathy. To investigate the alteration in polyol pathway underdiabetic conditions, we measured the level of AR gene expression in cuitured rat Schwann cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions by competitive RT-PCR. The hyperglycemic (30mM) condition alone did not affect the level of AR mRNA. On the other hand, when the Schwann cells were cultured in normoglycemic (5.6mM) or hyperglycemic (30mM) medium contalning osmolytes (100mM NaClor 100-200mM Raffinose) for Sdays, significant increase in AR mRNA was observed. This elevated expression of AR gene was correlated with increased enzyme activity, and with accumulation of sorbitol in the cells. These results suggest that in cultured rat Schwann cells, AR gene expression is induced by hyperosmotic stress.