Advanced Glycation End-Products in Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease, which results in microvascular and macrovascular complications in later stages. It has been known that with elevated glucose concentrations, proteins in both the circulation and the tissues are non-enzymatically glycated and this results in the production of advanced glycation end-products. Advanced glycation end-products alter cell structure and function which lead to the synthesis and release of cytokines and growth factors. Therefore, advanced glycation end-products contribute to the microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Inhibition of advanced glycation was found to reduce diabetic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy. Some of the agents that are used for the treatment of advanced glycation end-products formation and accumulation are summarized in this review.