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Glycation and biomarkers of vascular complications of diabetes

Paul J Beisswenger1

  • 1Dartmouth Medical School, 311 Remsen Building, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. paul.j.beisswenger@dartmouth.edu

Amino Acids
|November 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

New biomarkers, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and oxidation end-products (OPs), could predict diabetic complications like nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease earlier than HbA1c. This may enable timely, aggressive therapies for high-risk individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Diabetic complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disease) have variable patient risk.
  • Current biomarkers (HbA1c, albuminuria) fail to detect early tissue damage.
  • HbA1c does not capture glycative and oxidative pathways underlying complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Propose advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and oxidation end-products (OPs) as novel biomarkers.
  • Evaluate AGEs and OPs for predicting diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Assess if AGEs and OPs offer predictive value independent of HbA1c.

Main Methods:

  • Review literature on AGEs and OPs in relation to diabetes outcomes.
  • Discuss methodologies for measuring AGEs and OPs.
  • Outline guidelines for documenting sample quality in biomarker studies.

Main Results:

  • AGEs reflect glycation and dicarbonyl activity; OPs reflect oxidative stress.
  • Potential for AGEs and OPs to identify individuals at high risk for early diabetic complications.
  • Proposed biomarkers may offer insights into complication mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • AGEs and OPs show promise as early, independent predictors of diabetic complications.
  • Validating these biomarkers could facilitate early intervention and therapeutic development.
  • Identifying high-risk patients early allows for timely, potentially reversible, treatment strategies.

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