Advanced glycation end products and diabetic complications: a general overview.

Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate reaching epidemic proportions. Although hyperglycemia has been considered as playing an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, the mechanisms involved remain uncertain. There are several theories as to how chronic hyperglycemia can lead to micro or macrovascular disease in diabetes, including the advanced glycation end product (AGE) theory. Evidence for the effect of AGE in the development of diabetic angiopathy is derived not only from a number of in vitro and in vivo studies exploring the role of AGE in different pathologies, but also from studies demonstrating significant improvements of features of diabetic complications by anti-AGE agents. Although it is well established that AGE are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, more studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of AGE in this area. The use of the "new" and "old" anti-AGE agents will help both in the study of the mechanisms involved and the therapeutic applications aiming at prevention or amelioration of diabetic complications that still constitute a major problem with a life-threatening impact for diabetic patients, worldwide.