Serum advanced glycation end products are not associated with muscle strength in hemodialysis patients

Background Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are elevated in patients with renal failure and may potentially affect skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum concentrations of AGEs are associated with muscle strength in hemodialysis (HD) patients, since this association is not clear in the literature. Methods This research has a cross-sectional design and included 96 patients on hemodialysis treatment (20-69 years). Serum AGEs (ELISA), three-day dietary records, anthropometric and bioimpedance variables and handgrip strength (HGS) were analysed. Serum AGEs were analyzed by ELISA test. Results Men's HGS were significantly higher than women's (p < 0.001). Serum AGEs of the individuals of the highest HGS quartile versus the lowest quartile were 11.27 +/- 2.52 and 9.06 +/- 2.14 (mu g/mL), respectively (p = 0.02). After adjustment for potential confounders, the correlation between serum AGEs and HGS lost statistical significance. The main factors that were associated to muscle strength were aging, BMI, percentage of fat-free mass and serum albumin. Conclusion Contrary to our hypothesis, serum AGEs were not associated with muscular strength in HD patients. These results suggest that serum AGE is not a good indicator of muscle strength in this population and others factors related to the disease may be more important and significant in reducing muscle strength than the serum concentrations of AGEs alone.