Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are complex, heterogenous molecules generated by glycation and oxidation of
proteins in vivo, which are thought to markedly increase in diabetic patients. One of the recently identified AGEs is carboxy
methyl lysine (CML), which is the main
ligand of receptors for
advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The present study aimed to assess the effect of
obesity on such pathways in presence and absence of
Type 2 diabetes mellitus. CML, soluble receptors for
advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), HbA1C,
lipid profile, liver function tests and kidney function tests were determined in 29 diabetic obese, 29 diabetic non-obese, 15 non-diabetic obese and 15 non-diabetic non-obese subjects. The study compared obese and non-obese subjects in presence and absence of
type 2 diabetes. The results showed a significant increase in CML and a significant decrease in sRAGE in each of the diabetic obese group when compared with the diabetic non-obese group and the non-diabetic obese group when compared with the non-diabetic non-obese group. A significant positive correlation was found between CML and markers of
obesity (body mass index and waist/hip ratio). These results suggest that
obesity can increase CML independent of diabetes and support the reports that CML could be generated from both
sugars and
lipids. The present study suggests that treatment using glycation inhibitors like
aminoguanidine or recombinant sRAGE will not only retard the
diabetic complications, but may also have a prophylactic effect.