Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
05:49
Alternate Immersion in Glucose to Produce Prolonged Hyperglycemia in Zebrafish
Published on: May 5, 2021
Acute hyperglycemia and oxidative stress: direct cause and effect?
Siu-Wai Choi1, Iris F F Benzie, Shuk-Woon Ma
1Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes may not be directly caused by sudden high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Glucose variability, or fluctuations, might be a more significant trigger for diabetic complications.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is characterized by increased oxidative stress, implicated in diabetic complications.
- A direct causal link between acute hyperglycemia and oxidative stress is widely accepted but lacks clear supporting evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the evidence for acute hyperglycemia as a direct trigger of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.
- To explore the role of glucose variability as a potential trigger for oxidative stress and diabetic complications.
- To discuss the influence of diabetes medications on the hyperglycemia-oxidative stress relationship.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of published scientific literature on hyperglycemia, glucose variability, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.
- Examination of conflicting data and controversies regarding the direct prooxidant effects of acute hyperglycemia.
- Discussion of potential antioxidative effects of diabetes medications.
Main Results:
- Published data do not conclusively support a direct cause-and-effect relationship between acute hyperglycemia and increased oxidative stress.
- Evidence suggests that glucose variability may play a more significant role in triggering oxidative stress and diabetic complications.
- Antioxidative effects of certain diabetes drugs may have confounded the understanding of the hyperglycemia-oxidative stress link.
Conclusions:
- The accepted view that acute hyperglycemia directly triggers oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes may be inaccurate.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of glucose variability in diabetic complications.
- Resolving current controversies requires a re-evaluation of the evidence and targeted research into the mechanisms of oxidative stress in diabetes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
01:26Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
01:22Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...