Free Amino Groups Of Proteins Research Articles

Biochemistry and Pathophysiology of Glycation of DNA: Implications in Diabetes

Advanced glycated end products (AGEs) are molecules formed from the non-enzymatic reaction of reducing sugar with free amino group of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The AGEs play crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular, kidney, Alzheimer’s, neurological, diabetes and joints diseases and aging process. Depletion of cellular antioxidant GSH led to increase binding of glucose derivatives to DNA. DNA can be cross-linked with different substances, some of the nucleotide AGEs are N2-carboxymethyl oxyguanosine, 5-glycolyl deoxycytidine etc. Glycation of DNA evolves from the formation of Amadori products finally culminating into DNA AGEs. Glycation of DNA yields characteristics type of nucleotide adducts which are indicator of many abnormal conditions such as oxidative stress, arthritis etc. The glyoxal and methyl glyoxals are the earlier form of DNA glycation products which are derived from the reducing carbohydrate compounds. The AGEs and their product associated with the mutation, break down of DNA strand, cytotoxicity and various inflammatory conditions. High concentration of accumulated products observed in diseases like diabetes, uremia, atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, myocardial infarction, nephropathy, retinopathy, periodontitis, neuropathy and other inflammatory conditions. The decline rate of DNA repair mechanisms and persistence of DNA lesion with increased age of persons enhance the rate of nucleotide glycation.

Advanced glycation end products mediated cellular and molecular events in the pathology of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Degenerative changes such as glomerular hypertrophy, hyperfiltration, widening of basement membranes, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis and podocytopathy manifest in various degrees of proteinuria in DN. One of the key mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of DN is non-enzymatic glycation (NEG). NEG is the irreversible attachment of reducing sugars onto free amino groups of proteins by a series of events, which include the formation of Schiff's base and an Amadori product to yield advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGE modification of client proteins from the extracellular matrix induces crosslinking, which is often associated with thickening of the basement membrane. AGEs activate several intracellular signaling cascades upon interaction with receptor for AGEs (RAGE), which manifest in aberrant cellular responses such as inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy, whereas other receptors such as AGE-R1, AGE-R3 and scavenger receptors also bind to AGEs and ensue endocytosis and degradation of AGEs. Elevated levels of both serum and tissue AGEs are associated with adverse renal outcome. Increased evidence supports that attenuation of AGE formation and/or inhibition of RAGE activation manifest(s) in improving renal function. This review provides insights of NEG, discusses the cellular and molecular events triggered by AGEs, which manifest in the pathogenesis of DN including renal fibrosis, podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition and activation of renin-angiotensin system. Therapies designed to target AGEs, such as inhibitors of AGEs formation and crosslink breakers, are discussed.

Identification of C1q as a Binding Protein for Advanced Glycation End Products.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) make up a heterogeneous group of molecules formed from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with the free amino groups of proteins. The abundance of AGEs in a variety of age-related diseases, including diabetic complications and atherosclerosis, and their pathophysiological effects suggest the existence of innate defense mechanisms. Here we examined the presence of serum proteins that are capable of binding glycated bovine serum albumin (AGEs-BSA), prepared upon incubation of BSA with dehydroascorbate, and identified complement component C1q subcomponent subunit A as a novel AGE-binding protein in human serum. A molecular interaction analysis showed the specific binding of C1q to the AGEs-BSA. In addition, we identified DNA-binding regions of C1q, including a collagen-like domain, as the AGE-binding site and established that the amount of positive charge on the binding site was the determining factor. C1q indeed recognized several other modified proteins, including acylated proteins, suggesting that the binding specificity of C1q might be ascribed, at least in part, to the electronegative potential of the ligand proteins. We also observed that C1q was involved in the AGEs-BSA-activated deposition of complement proteins, C3b and C4b. In addition, the AGEs-BSA mediated the proteolytic cleavage of complement protein 5 to release C5a. These findings provide the first evidence of AGEs as a new ligand recognized by C1q, stimulating the C1q-dependent classical complement pathway.

Advanced Glycation End Products Induce Obesity and Hepatosteatosis in CD-1 Wild-Type Mice.

AGEs are a heterogeneous group of molecules formed from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins, lipids, and/or nucleic acids. AGEs have been shown to play a role in various conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In this study, we hypothesized that AGEs play a role in the “multiple hit hypothesis” of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatosteatosis. We measured the effects of various mouse chows containing high or low AGE in the presence of high or low fat content on mouse weight and epididymal fat pads. We also measured the effects of these chows on the inflammatory response by measuring cytokine levels and myeloperoxidase activity levels on liver supernatants. We observed significant differences in weight gain and epididymal fat pad weights in the high AGE-high fat (HAGE-HF) versus the other groups. Leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were significantly higher in the HAGE-HF group. We conclude that a diet containing high AGEs in the presence of high fat induces weight gain and hepatosteatosis in CD-1 mice. This may represent a model to study the role of AGEs in the pathogenesis of hepatosteatosis and steatohepatitis.

Impact of Non-Enzymatic Glycation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of Natural Products in Prevention.

Non-enzymatic protein glycosylation is the addition of free carbonyls to the free amino groups of proteins, amino acids, lipoproteins and nucleic acids resulting in the formation of early glycation products. The early glycation products are also known as Maillard reaction which undergoes dehydration, cyclization and rearrangement to form advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). By and large the researchers in the past have also established that glycation and the AGEs are responsible for most type of metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, cancer, neurological disorders and aging. The amassing of AGEs in the tissues of neurodegenerative diseases shows its involvement in diseases. Therefore, it is likely that inhibition of glycation reaction may extend the lifespan of an individual. The hunt for inhibitors of glycation, mainly using in vitro models, has identified natural compounds able to prevent glycation, especially polyphenols and other natural antioxidants. Extrapolation of results of in vitro studies on the in vivo situation is not straightforward due to differences in the conditions and mechanism of glycation, and bioavailability problems. Nevertheless, existing data allow postulating that enrichment of diet in natural anti-glycating agents may attenuate glycation and, in consequence may halt the aging and neurological problems.

Protein carbamylation is a hallmark of aging

Aging is a progressive process determined by genetic and acquired factors. Among the latter are the chemical reactions referred to as nonenzymatic posttranslational modifications (NEPTMs), such as glycoxidation, which are responsible for protein molecular aging. Carbamylation is a more recently described NEPTM that is caused by the nonenzymatic binding of isocyanate derived from urea dissociation or myeloperoxidase-mediated catabolism of thiocyanate to free amino groups of proteins. This modification is considered an adverse reaction, because it induces alterations of protein and cell properties. It has been shown that carbamylated proteins increase in plasma and tissues during chronic kidney disease and are associated with deleterious clinical outcomes, but nothing is known to date about tissue protein carbamylation during aging. To address this issue, we evaluated homocitrulline rate, the most characteristic carbamylation-derived product (CDP), over time in skin of mammalian species with different life expectancies. Our results show that carbamylation occurs throughout the whole lifespan and leads to tissue accumulation of carbamylated proteins. Because of their remarkably long half-life, matrix proteins, like type I collagen and elastin, are preferential targets. Interestingly, the accumulation rate of CDPs is inversely correlated with longevity, suggesting the occurrence of still unidentified protective mechanisms. In addition, homocitrulline accumulates more intensely than carboxymethyl-lysine, one of the major advanced glycation end products, suggesting the prominent role of carbamylation over glycoxidation reactions in age-related tissue alterations. Thus, protein carbamylation may be considered a hallmark of aging in mammalian species that may significantly contribute in the structural and functional tissue damages encountered during aging.

The Structural Alteration and Aggregation of Bovine Lens Gamma-Crystallin by Homocysteinylation; The Pathomechanism Underlying Cataract Development During Hyperhomocysteinimia.

A significant association between increased level of blood homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinimia) and various eye pathological disorders including cataract has been reported. This metabolic byproduct is converted into a highly reactive cyclic thioester compound, homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), which can potentially react with free amino groups in protein. In the current study, as bovine lens γ-Crystallin (γ-Cry) was incubated with HCTL, various spectroscopic techniques, gel mobility shift assay, and microscopic analysis were applied to characterize structural variation and aggregation of this protein. According to the fluorescence results, HCTL-induced structural alteration was accompanied with the significant enhancement in surface hydrophobicity of γ-Cry. Also, this cyclic thioester was indicated to alter γ-Cry secondary structures and to induce aggregation of this protein. The results of gel mobility shift assay suggest the involvement of disulfide bond cross-linking in formation of the protein aggregates. In conjunction with Thioflavin T and Congo red assays, the microscopic analysis also suggests that HCTL can induce formation of ordered aggregate entities in bovine lens γ-Cry. The relationship between γ-Cry insolubilization/aggregation and growth of cataract disorders has been already reported. Therefore, the induction of structural alteration and aggregation of γ-Cry by HCTL can elucidate the pathomechanism underlying cataract disorders particularly in hyperhomocysteinimia.

Lactose in dairy ingredients: Effect on processing and storage stability

Lactose is the main carbohydrate in the milk of most species. It is present in virtually all dry dairy ingredients, with levels ranging from <2% (e.g., caseinates, milk protein isolates) to 100% in lactose powders. The presence of lactose has a strong effect on ingredient processing and stability. Lactose can negatively influence powder properties and lead to undesirable effects, such as the stickiness of powder resulting in fouling during drying, or caking and related phenomena during storage. In addition, being a reducing carbohydrate, lactose can also participate in the Maillard reaction with free amino groups of proteins, peptides, and free AA. In this review, the influence of the presence (or absence) of lactose on physiochemical properties of dairy ingredients is reviewed, with particular emphasis on behavior during processing and storage. Particularly important features in this respect are whether lactose is in the (glassy) amorphous phase or in the crystalline phase, which is strongly affected by precrystallization conditions (e.g., in lactose, permeate, and whey powders) and by drying conditions. Furthermore, the moisture content and water activity of the ingredients are important parameters to consider, as they determine both mobility and reactivity, influencing Maillard reactions and concomitant browning, the crystallization of amorphous lactose during storage of dairy ingredients, glass transitions temperatures, and associated stickiness and caking phenomena. For the stickiness and caking, a crucial aspect to take into account is powder particle surface composition in relation to the bulk powder. Lactose is typically underrepresented at the powder surface, as a result of which deviations between observed lactose-induced caking and stickiness temperatures, and determined glass transition temperatures arise. By considering lactose as an integral part of ingredient composition along with all other compositional and environmental properties, lactose behavior in dairy ingredients can be understood, controlled, and optimized. Routes to achieve this are outlined in this review paper.

Glycation of H1 Histone by 3-Deoxyglucosone: Effects on Protein Structure and Generation of Different Advanced Glycation End Products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) culminate from the non-enzymatic reaction between a free carbonyl group of a reducing sugar and free amino group of proteins. 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) is one of the dicarbonyl species that rapidly forms several protein-AGE complexes that are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, particularly diabetic complications. In this study, the generation of AGEs (Nε-carboxymethyl lysine and pentosidine) by 3-DG in H1 histone protein was characterized by evaluating extent of side chain modification (lysine and arginine) and formation of Amadori products as well as carbonyl contents using several physicochemical techniques. Results strongly suggested that 3-DG is a potent glycating agent that forms various intermediates and AGEs during glycation reactions and affects the secondary structure of the H1 protein. Structural changes and AGE formation may influence the function of H1 histone and compromise chromatin structures in cases of secondary diabetic complications.

Quercetin as a finer substitute to aminoguanidine in the inhibition of glycation products

Non-enzymatic glycation is the addition of a free carbonyl group of a reducing sugar to the free amino groups of proteins, which results in the formation of early and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Glycation reaction is profoundly associated with diabetes and its secondary complications, such as nephropathy and neuropathy. Glyoxal is a carbonyl species that reacts rapidly with the free amino groups of proteins to form AGEs. While the formation of AGEs with various glycating agents has previously been demonstrated, no extensive studies have been conducted to assess the role of quercetin in all three stages of glycation (early, intermediate and late). In this study, we report the glycation of HSA (human serum albumin) and its characterization by several spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, inhibition of products at all stages of glycation was studied by various assays. Spectroscopic analysis suggests structural perturbations in the HSA macromolecule as a result of modification, which might be due to the generation of free radicals and the formation of AGEs. Inhibition in the formation of glycation has established that quercetin is a better and a more potent antiglycating agent than aminoguanidine at all stages of glycation.

Biofunctionalization of gelatin microcarrier with oxidized hyaluronic acid for corneal keratocyte cultivation

Development of microcarriers as alternative architecture models to traditional three-dimensional porous scaffolds can potentially eliminate the concern of extensive geographic necrosis during keratocyte cultivation. For the first time, this work was performed to evaluate the in vitro expansion of rabbit corneal keratocytes (RCKs) on the gelatin microcarrier (GMC) modified with hyaluronic acid (HA). In order to confirm the successful synthesis, the oxidized HA (oHA) samples following treatment of HA with sodium periodate were investigated by chemical characterization, including Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Biofunctionalization of GMC with oHA was then achieved by the formation of aldimine linkage between free amino groups in protein and aldehyde groups in oxidized polysaccharide. The grafting yield of oHA onto GMC determined by alcian blue staining assay was 26.9±0.1%. Tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) plates and the microcarriers from either the GMC or GMC-oHA group were used for suspension culture of RCKs. Results of WST-1 assays, scanning electron microscopy, extracellular matrix production assays, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis showed that among all the groups studied, the GMC-oHA samples could most effectively support a large scale growth of RCKs while enhancing their total collagen and glycosaminoglycan contents (i.e., indicative of biosynthetic capacity) and keratocan and ALDH1 gene and protein expressions (i.e., indicative of cell phenotype and function). It is concluded that the aforementioned keratocyte behaviors are found to be strongly dependent on the type of culture substrate (i.e., TCPS plate versus biopolymer microcarrier) and on the biomaterial functionalization (i.e., modification of gelatin with oHA).

Immunogenicity of DNA-advanced glycation end product fashioned through glyoxal and arginine in the presence of Fe3+: Its potential role in prompt recognition of diabetes mellitus auto-antibodies

Glyoxal, methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosones are reactive dicarbonyl compounds, which transform free amino groups of proteins and lipoproteins macromolecule into advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs play a significant role in the pathophysiology of aging and diabetic complications because of their genotoxic effect. Glyoxal also reacts with free amino group of nucleic acids resulting in the formation of DNA–AGEs. The present study reports the genotoxicity and immunogenicity of AGEs formed by Glyoxal–Arginine–Fe3+ (G–Arg–Fe3+) system as a glycating agent. Immunogenicity of native and G–Arg–Fe3+–DNA was probed in female rabbits. Immunofluorescence suggests the presence of immune complex deposition in the kidney section of immunized rabbits. Spectroscopic analysis and melting temperature indicates the structural modification in the human DNA. The modified human DNA is found to be highly immunogenic, whereas unmodified form was simply non-immunogenic. This study shows the presence of auto-antibodies against G–Arg–Fe3+ modified human DNA in the sera of diabetes type 1 and in few cases type 2 patients due to secondary complications of nephropathy. The glyco-oxidative lesions have also been detected in the lymphocyte DNA isolated from patients having type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The results show structural perturbations generating new epitopes in G–Arg–Fe3+–DNA rendering it pretty immunogenic.

Determination of homocysteine thiolactone in urine by field amplified sample injection and sweeping MEKC method with UV detection.

Homocysteine thiolactone (Hcy-thiolactone), an intramolecular thioester, easily acylates free-amino groups in proteins, which impairs or alters the protein's biological function. Here, we describe new capillary electrophoresis assay for the determination of Hcy-thiolactone in human urine based on a field amplified sample injection and sweeping MEKC with UV detection. The two steps procedure relies on sample liquid-liquid extraction followed by CE separation and UV detection at 240nm. The Hcy-thiolactone standard added to the urine before the extraction step shows that the response of the detector is linear within the range studied, from 0.1 to 1μmolL(-1) urine. The intra- and interday precision and recovery were 3.2-14.4% (average 5.1% and 9.3%) and 92.5-112.6% (average 99.8% and 99.1%), respectively. The lower limit of quantification was 0.09nmol Hcy-thiolactone in 1mL of urine. The proposed method was applied for the analysis of 15 urine samples donated by apparently healthy volunteers. The average concentration of the analyte was 0.170±0.029μmolL(-1).

Inhibitory Effect of Metformin and Pyridoxamine in the Formation of Early, Intermediate and Advanced Glycation End-Products

BackgroundNon-enzymatic glycation is the addition of free carbonyl group of reducing sugar to the free amino groups of proteins, resulting in the formation of a Schiff base and an Amadori product. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is one of the carbonyl species which reacts rapidly with the free amino groups of proteins to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The highly reactive dihydroxyacetone phosphate is a derivative of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and a product of glycolysis, having potential glycating effects to form AGEs. The formation of AGEs results in the generation of free radicals which play an important role in the pathophysiology of aging and diabetic complications. While the formation of DHA-AGEs has been demonstrated previously, no extensive studies have been performed to assess the inhibition of AGE inhibitors at all the three stages of glycation (early, intermediate and late) using metformin (MF) and pyridoxamine (PM) as a novel inhibitor.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study we report glycation of human serum albumin (HSA) & its characterization by various spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, inhibition of glycation products at all the stages of glycation was also studied. Spectroscopic analysis suggests structural perturbations in the HSA as a result of modification which might be due to generation of free radicals and formation of AGEs.ConclusionThe inhibition in the formation of glycation reaction reveals that Pyridoxamine is a better antiglycating agent than Metformin at all stages of the glycation (early, intermediate and late stages).

Improvement in emulsifying properties of soy protein isolate by conjugation with maltodextrin using high‐temperature, short‐time dry‐heating Maillard reaction

SummarySoy protein isolate (SPI)–maltodextrin (MD) conjugates were synthesised using Maillard reaction under high‐temperature (90, 115 and 140 °C), short‐time (2 h) dry‐heating conditions. The loss of free amino groups in proteins and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) profile confirmed that SPI‐MD conjugates were formed and higher dry‐heated temperatures could increase the glycosylation degree. The emulsifying properties of SPI and SPI‐MD conjugates were evaluated in oil‐in‐water emulsions. The emulsions stabilised with SPI‐MD conjugates synthesised at 140 °C exhibited higher emulsifying stability and excellent storage stability against pH, ionic strength and thermal treatment compared with those synthesised at 90 °C, 115 °C and SPI stabilised emulsions. This might be due to a greater proportion of conjugated MD in SPI‐MD conjugates synthesised at 140 °C because of the higher glycosylation degree, and more conjugated MD on the droplet surface could provide steric effect and enhance the stability of the droplets in the emulsions.

Diet-derived advanced glycation end products or lipofuscin disrupts proteostasis and reduces life span in Drosophila melanogaster

Advanced glycation end product (AGE)-modified proteins are formed by the nonenzymatic glycation of free amino groups of proteins and, along with lipofuscin (a highly oxidized aggregate of covalently cross-linked proteins, sugars, and lipids), have been found to accumulate during aging and in several age-related diseases. As the in vivo effects of diet-derived AGEs or lipofuscin remain elusive, we sought to study the impact of oral administration of glucose-, fructose-, or ribose-modified albumin or of artificial lipofuscin in a genetically tractable model organism. We report herein that continuous feeding of young Drosophila flies with culture medium enriched in AGEs or in lipofuscin resulted in reduced locomotor performance and in accelerated rates of AGE-modified proteins and carbonylated proteins accumulation in the somatic tissues and hemolymph of flies, as well as in a significant reduction of flies health span and life span. These phenotypic effects were accompanied by reduced proteasome peptidase activities in both the hemolymph and the somatic tissues of flies and higher levels of oxidative stress; furthermore, oral administration of AGEs or lipofuscin in flies triggered an upregulation of the lysosomal cathepsin B, L activities. Finally, RNAi-mediated cathepsin D knockdown reduced flies longevity and significantly augmented the deleterious effects of AGEs and lipofuscin, indicating that lysosomal cathepsins reduce the toxicity of diet-derived AGEs or lipofuscin. Our in vivo studies demonstrate that chronic ingestion of AGEs or lipofuscin disrupts proteostasis and accelerates the functional decline that occurs with normal aging.

Pheophorbide‐a prevents vascular endothelium dysfunction and down‐regulates AGEs‐induced proinflammatory cytokines.

During hyperglycemia, nonenzymatic glycation occurs through the reaction of aldehyde groups of reducing sugars and free amino groups of proteins. Excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may play a key role of inflammation on endothelium. ROS enhance the expression of specific adhesion molecules on the surface of endothelium, and it up‐regulates the monocyte adhesiveness. Glycapaldehyde induced AGEs (Glycol‐AGEs) have been reported to express pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin 1‐beta (IL‐1β), and it might be one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of initial stage of atherosclerosis. Pheophorbide a showed not only a scavenging activity of the intracellular ROS, but also monocyte adhesiveness inhibitory activity on THP‐1 and HUVEC co‐cultivation system. The mRNA levels of inflammation related genes such as MCP‐1 and IL‐6 were significantly decreased by pheophorbide a, and AGEs‐stimulated TNF‐α and IL‐1β were down‐regulated with it. In these results, we demonstrated that the pheophorbide a has a significant ROS scavenging activity, monocyte adhesive inhibitory activity, and down regulation activity of cytokines related to inflammation on endothelium. We expect that the pheophorbide a might potent candidate compound to control endothelial cell dysfunctions.

An Emerging Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 in Preventing Advanced-Glycation-End-Product-Mediated Damages in Diabetes

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone produced in the intestinal epithelial endocrine L cells by differential processing of the proglucagon gene. Released in response to the nutrient ingestion, GLP-1 plays an important role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 has been shown to regulate blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon secretion, gastric emptying, and food intake. These antidiabetic activities highlight GLP-1 as a potential therapeutic molecule in the clinical management of type 2 diabetes, (a disease characterized by progressive decline of beta-cell function and mass, increased insulin resistance, and final hyperglycemia). Since chronic hyperglycemia contributed to the acceleration of the formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs, a heterogeneous group of compounds derived from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins implicated in vascular diabetic complications), the administration of GLP-1 might directly counteract diabetes pathophysiological processes (such as pancreatic β-cell dysfunction). This paper outlines evidence on the protective role of GLP-1 in preventing the deleterious effects mediated by AGEs in type 2 diabetes.

Maternal Plasma Advanced Glycation End Products Concentrations in Response to Oral 50-gram Glucose Load in Mid-Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

Accumulating evidence documents the initiation of diverse physiologic and biochemical responses subsequent to an oral glucose load. We sought to evaluate the extent to which acute hyperglycemia, resulting from a 50-gram glucose load, contributes to changes in maternal plasma concentrations of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a heterogeneous group of molecules formed from the non-enzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Blood specimens were collected from each participant in mid-pregnancy using standard procedures before and after a 50-gram oral glucose load. Maternal plasma methylglyoxal (MG), pentosidine and N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) (free and bound) were measured by HPLC-MS/MS method. Non-parametric methods were employed for statistical analysis. Median plasma MG increased 1.27 fold as a result of acute hyperglycemia. Median bound CML concentrations were elevated 21% in post-load plasma samples as compared with pre-load samples, while median free pentosidine concentrations were 51% lower (both p-values < 0.05). Future studies of larger populations and longer periods of follow-up are warranted to investigate the consequences of acute and chronic hyperglycemia on placental function and fetal development.

Physicochemical analysis of structural changes in DNA modified with glucose

Reactions of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins can form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). While the formation of nucleoside AGEs has been studied in detail, no extensive work has been carried out to assess DNA Amadori and DNA advanced glycation end products. In this study, we report biophysical/chemical characterization of glucose-induced changes in DNA, as well as DNA Amadori and DNA advanced glycation end products. Glucose treated DNA exhibited hyperchromicity, decrease in melting temperature, and enhanced emission intensity in a time dependent manner. Formation of DNA Amadori product and DNA advanced glycation end products, mainly CEdG (N2-carboxyethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine), were the major outcome of the study.