Reactive Oxygen Species Expression in THP-1 Cells Exposed to Various Sugars, Fructose and Uric Acid
Description
Fructose consumption has dramatically increased in the last forty years in the United States. The principal form of consumption is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) found in soft drinks and processed food. The deleterious effects of excessive fructose consumption on human health are the development of metabolic syndrome, production of fatty liver, and hyperuricemia. These elevated risks drive atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease which are major causes of morbidity/mortality in patients with metabolic syndrome and have been associated with activation of macrophages and formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. This study evaluates the role of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), fructose, glucose, and uric acid on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in THP-1 cells. There was no activation of ROS in THP-1 cells after 24 hours exposure of high concentrations of various sugars in microplate assays confirmed by microscopy to using CellROX® Deep Red Reagent. ROS generation was not significantly elevated compared to untreated THP-1 cells in various concentrations of fructose or up to 28 days of exposure. Additionally, uric acid or the combination of fructose and uric acid did not significantly increase ROS production in THP-1 cells using CellROX® Deep Red Reagent in microplate assays. Therefore, various sugars, uric acid, or a combination of uric acid and fructose does not generate ROS in THP-1 cells.
Citation Information
Greenberg, Paige; Mei, Victor; and Carnevale, Kevin A., "Reactive Oxygen Species Expression in THP-1 Cells Exposed to Various Sugars, Fructose and Uric Acid" (2026). Office of Research DMU Research Symposium. 78.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2025rs/2025abstracts/78
Reactive Oxygen Species Expression in THP-1 Cells Exposed to Various Sugars, Fructose and Uric Acid
Fructose consumption has dramatically increased in the last forty years in the United States. The principal form of consumption is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) found in soft drinks and processed food. The deleterious effects of excessive fructose consumption on human health are the development of metabolic syndrome, production of fatty liver, and hyperuricemia. These elevated risks drive atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease which are major causes of morbidity/mortality in patients with metabolic syndrome and have been associated with activation of macrophages and formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. This study evaluates the role of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), fructose, glucose, and uric acid on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in THP-1 cells. There was no activation of ROS in THP-1 cells after 24 hours exposure of high concentrations of various sugars in microplate assays confirmed by microscopy to using CellROX® Deep Red Reagent. ROS generation was not significantly elevated compared to untreated THP-1 cells in various concentrations of fructose or up to 28 days of exposure. Additionally, uric acid or the combination of fructose and uric acid did not significantly increase ROS production in THP-1 cells using CellROX® Deep Red Reagent in microplate assays. Therefore, various sugars, uric acid, or a combination of uric acid and fructose does not generate ROS in THP-1 cells.
