[Lipoprotein glycation and glycoxidation: their importance in diabetes mellitus]

Chronic hyperglycemia induces an increase in the non enzymatic glycation of circulating and structural proteins together with a glucose-generated oxidative and carbonyl stress, known as glycoxidation. The physicochemical characteristics and the metabolism of lipoproteins are altered by glycation/glycoxidation and resemble those of other body proteins, except for the fact that there is a simultaneous glycoxidation of both protein and phospholipid components generating an oxidative stress that increases lipoxidation. Information gathered during the last few years suggests that, among lipoproteins, modified LDL would principally contribute to developing diabetic micro-macrovascular complications. The control and the prevention of the progress of such complications are difficult to attain due to the irreversibility of glycoxidation. As glycation/glycoxidation is related to mean blood glucose, the goal in diabetes treatment must be the achievement of a close to normal metabolic control. This review summarizes advances in the importance of lipoprotein glycation/glycoxidation in diabetes mellitus.