Assessment of Protein Glycoxidation in Ventricular Tissues

Advanced glycation end products are permanently modified protein derivatives formed in the presence of reducing sugars, such as glucose, fructose, hexose-phosphates, trioses, and triose-phosphates by non-enzymatic glycation and oxidation (“glycoxidation”) reactions and further irreversible rearrangements. Numerous studies have revealed the pivotal role of protein glycoxidation in the pathogeneses of diabetes-related and age-related diseases. Protein glycoxidation is generally recognized both as a hallmark and as a promoter for progression of diabetes-related and age-related ailments, particularly in cardiovascular system such as increased vascular and myocardial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, altered vascular injury responses, and atherosclerotic plaque formation. An appropriate surveillance on abnormal protein glycoxidation at an early stage of disease progression is of clinical and practical importance to handle diabetes-related and age-related cardiovascular complications especially those leading to ventricular dysfunction.