Diabetes and advanced glycation endproducts

Abstract

Vlassara H, Palace MR (Department of Geriatrics, Division of Experimental Diabetes and Ageing, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, USA). Diabetes and Advanced Glycation Endproducts. J Intern Med 2002; 251: 87-101. Bio-reactive advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) alter the structure and function of molecules in biological systems and increase oxidative stress. These adverse effects of both exogenous and endogenously derived AGE have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and changes associated with ageing including atherosclerosis, renal, eye and neurological disease. Specific AGE receptors and nonreceptor mechanisms contribute to these processes but also assist in the removal and degradation of AGE. The final disposal of AGE depends on renal clearance. Promising pharmacologic strategies to prevent AGE formation, reduce AGE toxicity, and/or inactivate AGE are under investigation.