Introduction
Elevated blood glucose level is an important factor
in the pathogenesis of several vascular complications in
diabetic patients. Prolonged hyperglycemia results in
the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)
in body tissues of these patients. The non-enzymatic
Maillard reaction between carbonyl group of the reducing
sugars and free amino group of proteins leads to the
formation of glycated protein called Amadori product.
Further rearrangement, oxidation and reduction of the
Amadori product yield several AGEs. These complex,
irreversible and fluorescent molecules can react with
free amino groups nearby, causing protein cross-linking
[1, 2]. The cross-linked proteins, such as Collagen and
albumin, contribute to the development and progression
of pathological conditions found in diabetic patients and
in the aging process, including the loss of collagen
elasticity and subsequent reduction in arterial and
myocardial compliance [3], the binding of modified
circulating proteins in the blood to AGE receptors and
the activation of inflammatory process, resulting in
vascular damage [4].