Measurement of pentosidine in biological samples

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Biomolecular Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Pentosidine is a highly fluorescent advanced glycation end product (AGE) and crosslink.
• It is derived from arginine and lysine residues, forming an imidazo-pyridinium structure.
• First isolated from articular cartilage, pentosidine is now detected in numerous human and animal tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the chemical structure and properties of pentosidine.
• To highlight the prevalence and detection of pentosidine in various biological samples.
• To explain the formation pathways of pentosidine from different precursors.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and characterization of pentosidine from biological tissues.
• Quantification of pentosidine in human and animal samples (skin, kidney, lens, plasma, serum, urine, synovial fluid).
• Chemical synthesis of pentosidine from amino acids and pentoses, or glucose.

Main Results:

• Pentosidine structure confirmed as an imidazo-pyridinium crosslink derived from arginine and lysine.
• Detection and quantification achieved across a wide range of tissues and bodily fluids.
• Formation from glucose demonstrated, involving oxidation to arabinose, classifying it as a glycoxidation product.

Conclusions:

• Pentosidine is a significant AGE and crosslinking molecule found widely in biological systems.
• Its formation is linked to both glycation and oxidation processes.
• Understanding pentosidine's formation and distribution is crucial for studying aging and related pathologies.