Low Plasma Albumin Levels are Associated with Increased Plasma Protein Glycation and HbAlc in Diabetes

摘要

Diabetes is characterized by increased levels of plasma glucose, which in turn modifies the blood plasma proteins by a non-enzymatic reaction called glycation. Protein glycation leads to formation of toxic fluorescent molecules called Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). Formation of AGEs causes cell damage at various levels: a) The protein structure and function is altered b) AGE modified plasma proteins interact with the Receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and activate pro-inflammatory pathway c) AGE modification is associated with protein aggregation fibril formation and protease resistance d) AGE modification leads to dysfunction of extracellular matrix. Accumulation of AGEs has been found to be accelerated in diabetes and to contribute substantially to the progression of diabetic complications including nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, accelerated aging, cataract, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.