Insulin-stimulated reactive oxygen species and insulin signal transduction

Abstract

Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS; superoxide and H2O2), especially when chronically raised to high levels and associated with hyperglycemia, are widely recognized to play an important pathophysiological role in the chronic complications of diabetes as well as in the development of the disease.1-3 In contrast, the transient generation of smaller amounts of ROS is triggered in cells in response to stimulation with a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and hormones including insulin, and facilitates their respective signaling cascades. The involvement of an oxidation step in the action of insulin has been suggested for decades, but only recently have potential molecular mechanisms been identified for these effects.