Association of biochemical parameters and RAGE gene polymorphisms in healthy infants and their mothers

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGEs) and its gene polymorphisms are implicated in the pathogenesis of different chronic diseases including diabetes and its complications. Infant formulas contain high amounts of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) - the ligands of RAGE.

In this cross-sectional study, we examined the impact of G82S and -374 A/T polymorphisms in the gene encoding RAGE on standard blood chemistry, soluble (s)RAGE and inflammatory markers in 244 healthy infants (3-16months of age) and in 119 healthy mothers. Children were subdivided according to age (younger and older than 8months) and for the -374 A/T polymorphism according to the feeding regimen (breast-fed vs. infant formula-fed).

Minor allele of the RAGE gene polymorphism G82S was associated with reduced plasma sRAGE in all age groups and with increased sICAM-1 in older children and mothers. Minor allele carrying mothers had decreased insulin sensitivity and HDL. The A allele of the RAGE gene promoter polymorphism -374 A/T was associated with higher indices of insulin resistance in young infant formula-fed, but not breast-fed children. In older, formerly infant formula-fed children signs of insulin resistance diminished, while formerly breast-fed children with A allele were more insulin sensitive.

The phenotype of minor allele carriers in G82S is associated with reduced levels of protective sRAGE in healthy infants. With increasing age sICAM-1 levels increased and insulin resistance developed. In early childhood the phenotype of the -374 A/T polymorphism was diet-dependently associated with changes in glucose metabolism, which diminished with increasing age.