High glucose‐induced oxidative stress causes apoptosis in proximal tubular epithelial cells and is mediated by multiple caspases

ABSTRACT Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease in the Western world. Poor glycemic control contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy, but the mechanisms underlying high glucose‐induced tissue injury are not fully understood. In the present study, the effect of high glucose on a proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) line was investigated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using the fluorescent probes dichlorofluorescein diacetate, dihydrorhodamine 123, and 2,3‐diaminonapthalene. Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) generation and nitrite concentrations were increased after 24 h of high glucose treatment (P