[Pentosidine: a new biomarker in diabetes mellitus complications]

Diabetes mellitus causes an increase of morbidity and mortality. Advanced glycosilation end products (AGE) are formed by non-enzymatic glycation between proteins and reducing sugars as glucose. Oxidative reactions (glycoxidations) are essential for the formation of some AGE, for example pentosidine. Increased concentrations of pentosidine can be found in pathological conditions associated with hyperglycaemia and also related to increased oxidative stress. In individuals with diabetes mellitus, pentosidine formation and accumulation is developed at an accelerated rate in cells without insulin control for glucose uptake. Pentosidine has a pivotal role in diabetic complications, probably as a consequence of the diverse properties of this compound, which alters the structure and function of molecules in biological systems. The following review discusses the alterations in the concentration of pentosidine in the body, particularly in relation to changes occurring in diabetes and its complications such as vascular and bone disease, nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. Novel therapeutic approaches which can prevent or ameliorate the toxic effects of AGE in the initiation and progression of diabetic complications are reviewed.