Abstract
Dietary consumption has recently been identified as a major environmental source of pro-inflammatory advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in humans. It is disputed whether dietary AGEs represent a risk to human health. Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), a representative AGE compound found in food, has been suggested to make a significant contribution to circulating CML levels. However, recent studies have found that the dietary intake of AGEs is not associated with plasma CML concentrations. We have shown that the serum levels of glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGEs), but not hemoglobin A1c, glucose-derived AGEs (Glu-AGEs), or CML, could be used as biomarkers for predicting the progression of atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events. We also detected the production/accumulation of Glycer-AGEs in normal rats administered Glu-AGE-rich beverages. Therefore, we assessed the concentrations of various AGEs in a total of 1,650 beverages and foods that are commonly consumed in Japan. The concentrations of four kinds of AGEs (Glu-AGEs, fructose-derived AGEs (Fru-AGEs), CML, and Glycer-AGEs) were measured with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays involving immunoaffinity-purified specific antibodies. The results of the latter assays indicated that Glu-AGEs and Fru-AGEs (especially Glu-AGEs), but not CML or Glycer-AGEs, are present at appreciable levels in beverages and foods that are commonly consumed by Japanese. Glu-AGEs, Fru-AGEs, CML, and Glycer-AGEs exhibited concentrations of ≥85%, 2–12%, <3%, and trace amounts in the examined beverages and ≥82%, 5–15%, <3%, and trace amounts in the tested foods, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that some lactic acid bacteria beverages, carbonated drinks, sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, sports drinks, mixed fruit juices, confectionery (snacks), dried fruits, cakes, cereals, and prepared foods contain markedly higher Glu-AGE levels than other classes of beverages and foods. We provide useful data on the concentrations of various AGEs, especially Glu-AGEs, in commonly consumed beverages and foods.
Highlights
In humans, two major sources of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been identified, exogenous and endogenous AGEs [1,2,3,4,5]
We recently demonstrated that interactions between Glycer-AGEs and the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) affect intracellular signaling, gene expression, and the release of pro-inflammatory molecules and induce oxidative stress in numerous types of cells, all of which can contribute to the pathological changes observed in various chronic diseases [17,18,19]
We classified beverages according to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS)
Summary
Two major sources of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been identified, exogenous and endogenous AGEs [1,2,3,4,5]. AGEs were originally characterized by their yellow-brown fluorescent color and their ability to form cross-links with and between amino groups; the term is used for a broad range of advanced products of the glycation process, including Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), and pyrraline, which are colorless, do not fluoresce, and do not form cross-links with proteins [1,2,3,4,5]. The use of CML as a marker of AGE formation in food has recently led to the development of a database containing the CML concentrations of 549 foodstuffs [6,7]. Semba et al suggested that the excessive consumption of foods considered to be high in AGEs might not have a major effect on serum CML concentrations [11]
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