By Adam Garcia
In the diabetic dictionary today, we will be discussing what AGEs means and how it affects a diabetic person.
AGEs is an acronym for advanced glycosylation (gly-KOH-sih-LAY-shun) endproducts. AGEs are produced in the body when glucose links with protein. They are the result of a chain of chemical reactions after an initial glycation reaction.
Basically, they play a role in damaging blood vessels, which can lead to diabetes complications. Such as, diabetes-related chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, myocardial infarction, nephropathy, retinopathy and/or neuropathy.
AGEs are the subject of ongoing research. AGE crosslink breaking drugs are currently being developed for the purpose breaking crosslinks between proteins. Alt-711, also called alagebrium developed by Synvista Therapeutics is the first of these to reach clinical trials.
Glycation inhibitors include benfotiamine, pyridoxamine, taurine, aminoguanidine, carnosine, and aspirin. It is also believed that alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine can also reduce glycation damage. AGEs are now known to play a role as proinflammatory mediators in gestational diabetes as well.
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