Skin advanced glycation endproducts are elevated at onset of type 1 diabetes in youth.

Abstract

To compare skin advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in children at onset of type 1 diabetes with children without diabetes. Skin AGEs (sAGEs) were estimated by measurement of skin intrinsic fluorescence (SIF) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (NewD; n=47, F=45%, M=55%, Age=10±3.7) and in youth without diabetes (NoD; n=112, F=53%, M=47%, Age=10.4±4.8). HCO₃, pH, pCO₂, glucose level, and HbA₁c effect on SIF was evaluated in NewD patients. SIF at 405 nm and 420 nm excitation were higher (p=0.03) in NewD children compared to NoD. HCO₃, pH, pCO₂, glucose, and HbA₁c were not associated with SIF levels. Despite the short duration of untreated diabetes, sAGEs were higher in children with NewD compared to children with NoD. Further study will be needed to determine whether early accumulation of sAGEs is associated with higher risk for development and progression of complications.