I have some doubts about the HUVECs. Is this cell sensitive to the glucose level of the culture medium? Does high glucose level induce harmful effects on HUVECs?
Yes, high glucose induces apoptosis in HUVECs. The study in the paper attached below demonstrates that HUVECs exposed to high concentrations (like 16.5 and 33 mM) of glucose show a significantly decreased cell viability, increased cell apoptosis and cleaved caspase-3 levels, compared with HUVECs exposed to a low (5.5. mM) glucose concentration. For more information you may want to refer to the paper.
Article High glucose induces apoptosis of HUVECs in a mitochondria‑d...