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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

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Published on: November 16, 2011
Advanced glycation end products downregulate glucokinase in mice
Hongsoo Jung1, Jindeok Joo, Yeonsu Jeon
1Department of Anesthesiolgy and Pain Medicine, Catholic Unversity of Saint Vincent Hospital, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Glucokinase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of glucose to G-6-P, plays a key role in glucose metabolism. AGEs are implicated in diabetic complications. A previous study reported that AGEs decreased β-cell function through inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase and adenosine triphosphate synthesis. This study investigated the effects of AGEs on glucokinase and islet function.
Methods:
Six-month-old male C57BL6 mice were divided into bovine serum albumin (BSA) and AGE-BSA groups. BSA (200 µg/g) and AGE-BSA (60 U/g) were administered intraperitoneally twice daily. After 2 weeks, serum AGE levels were measured, oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and insulin levels during the oral glucose tolerance test were determined. Glucokinase protein expression level and activity were measured in pancreatic islets.
Results:
We observed that the normal mice (C57/BL6) treated for 2 weeks with AGE-BSA showed impaired glucose tolerance and decrease in acute insulin release. Glucokinase activity in islets from the AGE-BSA-treated mice was significantly inhibited and accompanied by blunted response of islets to high glucose stimulation. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that glucokinase protein expression was decreased, its activity was inhibited, and islet function was decreased. GKA partially restored glucokinase activity and islet function caused by AGEs.
Conclusions:
We concluded that AGEs inhibited glucokinase activity, leading to islet dysfunction in mouse pancreatic islets.
Insights
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibit glucokinase activity, impairing glucose metabolism and leading to islet dysfunction. This study reveals AGEs negatively impact pancreatic islet function by reducing glucokinase levels and activity.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glucokinase is crucial for glucose metabolism.
- Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are linked to diabetic complications.
- Previous research suggests AGEs impair beta-cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of AGEs on glucokinase and pancreatic islet function.
- To understand the role of AGEs in glucose metabolism disruption.
Main Methods:
- Male C57BL6 mice were treated with AGE-bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) or BSA.
- Glucose tolerance, insulin release, and serum AGE levels were assessed.
- Glucokinase expression, activity, and islet function were measured in pancreatic islets.
Main Results:
- AGE-BSA treatment impaired glucose tolerance and reduced insulin release.
- Glucokinase activity and expression were significantly inhibited by AGEs.
- AGEs decreased islet function and responsiveness to glucose stimulation, an effect partially reversed by GKA.
Conclusions:
- AGEs inhibit glucokinase activity, contributing to islet dysfunction.
- This inhibition leads to impaired glucose metabolism and insulin secretion.
- Targeting AGEs or enhancing glucokinase activity may be therapeutic strategies.
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