Skeletal turnover, bone mineral density, and fractures in male chronic abusers of alcohol

High glucose (HG) state is closely related to diabetic complications, and among these one main pathogenesis involves apoptosis of important functional cells. However, the mechanism of osteoblast (OB) apoptosis induced by HG state is not clear. Peroxynitrite (ONOO-), the strongest oxidant, can mediate apoptosis in various kinds of cells, including OB. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating whether HG state could induce OB apoptosis through ONOO-. Cultured OB from rat calvariae ex-planted from E21 fetuses were treated with HG solution. The ratio of OB apoptosis and ONOO- content was assayed by TUNEL, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that HG state could induce ONOO- over formation (p < 0.01), and excessive OB apoptosis (p < 0.001). However, the HG-induced OB apoptosis could be attenuated by peonol, a potent scavenger of ONOO-. In conclusion, HG state might trigger excessive ONOO- formation, mediating OB apoptosis.