DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2013.v01i02.002

Pages: 39-45

Abstract: On exposure to aldose sugar advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) which may be proteins or lipids in nature undergo glycation. AGEs have been found to be prevalent in the blood of diabetic persons and they tend to accelerate atherosclerosis. Besides, the accumulation of AGEs in many different cell types also affect their structure and function. AGEs can also cause other effects that lead to a variety of microvascular and macrovascular complications through the formation of cross-links between molecules in the basement membrane of the extracellular matrix and by engaging the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Activation of RAGE by AGEs results in alteration of the transcription factor, nuclear factor kB and its target genes. Soluble AGEs activate monocytes, whereas AGEs in the basement membrane suppress the monocyte migration. AGE-bound RAGE also enhances the endothelial permeability to macromolecules. AGEs block nitric oxide activity in the endothelium and cause the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since there are risisng evidences pertaining to adverse effects of AGEs on the vasculature of diabetic patients, different theraputic studies to inhibit AGEs are under investigations.