[Participation of glyoxalases and methylglyoxal in diabetic complication development].

The glyoxalase system catalyses the conversion of methylglyoxal to D-lactate via intermediate S-D-lactoylgutathione. This system consists of two enzymes, glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II. A link between the development of diabetic complications and the glyoxalase system has been suggested at the genetic and metabolic level. Insulin-dependent diabetic patients without complications (retinopathy, neuropathy) had a significantly higher frequency of the glyoxalase phenotype GLO 1-1 than patients with complications. Periodic hyperglycaemia may contribute to the development of diabetic complication through methylglyoxal-mediated changes in protein solubility and aggregation characteristics.