Modulation of insulin action by advanced glycation endproducts: a new player in the field

C G Schalkwijk1, O Brouwers, C D A Stehouwer

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands. C.Schalkwijk@intmed.unimaas.nl

Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|September 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) contribute to insulin resistance by altering insulin's structure and interfering with insulin signaling pathways. This review explores AGEs as a key factor in insulin resistance development.

Area of Science:

  • Metabolic disorders
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Insulin resistance impairs insulin's action in target organs.
  • Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) accumulate in conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
  • AGEs are implicated in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of advanced glycation in modulating insulin resistance.
  • To explore how glycation affects insulin structure and function.
  • To investigate AGEs' impact on insulin signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on advanced glycation and insulin resistance.
  • Analysis of studies investigating glycation of insulin and methylglyoxal.
  • Examination of research on AGEs' interference with insulin signaling.

Main Results:

  • Glycation and methylglyoxal can cause structural and functional abnormalities in insulin.
  • AGEs may disrupt the molecular pathways involved in insulin signaling.
  • Accumulation of AGEs is a common feature in clinical insulin resistance settings.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced glycation is a significant modulator of insulin resistance.
  • AGEs contribute to insulin resistance through direct effects on insulin and indirect effects on signaling.
  • Targeting AGE formation or accumulation may offer therapeutic strategies for insulin resistance.

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