A solid tumour undergoes ischemia/reperfusion due to deficient vascularization and subsequent formation of new blood vessels. This study investigated the effect of transient oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) on proliferation of C6 glioma cells. The cells were subjected to 18 h of OGD followed by reoxygenation in the presence of glucose and different extra-cellular H(2)O(2) concentrations since H(2)O(2) affects cell proliferation. After reoxygenation, the cellular H(2)O(2) concentration was increased returning to control levels within 24 h. Within this period, increase in cell number and MTT-reduction were impaired. Regeneration was completed on the third day of reoxygenation. MTT-reduction increased faster than cell number, indicating an OGD-dependent up-regulation of protein expression. It is concluded that ischemia/reperfusion stress promotes proliferation of tumour cells. An essential factor is a distinct H(2)O(2) concentration. Massive elevation as well as significant reduction of H(2)O(2) concentration impairs the proliferation process.