Reactive oxygen species production by mitochondria in endothelial cells exposed to reoxygenation after hypoxia and glucose depletion is mediated by ceramide.

In endothelium, reoxygenation after hypoxia (H/R) has been shown to induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The purpose of the present study was to test the involvement of ceramide in this phenomenon. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells underwent 2 h of hypoxia (PO2, approximately 20 mmHg) without glucose and 1 h of reoxygenation (PO2, approximately 120 mmHg) with glucose.

Reoxygenation after hypoxia and glucose depletion causes reactive oxygen species production by mitochondria in HUVEC.

In hemorrhagic shock, local hypoxia is present and followed by reoxygenation during the therapeutic process. In endothelium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as a cause of inflammatory reactions and tissular lesions in ischemic territory during reoxygenation. This study was designed to identify the enzymatic mechanisms of ROS formation during reoxygenation after hypoxia.