Inflammatory potential of the diet and its association with serum carboxymethyl lysine levels

Background: The inflammatory potential of diet and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are key factors contributing to cellular dysfunction and aging-related processes. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a validated tool used to quantify the inflammatory potential of dietary intake. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum carboxymethyl lysine (CML), a major biomarker of AGE burden, and DII scores. Methods: A total of 149 volunteers were included. DII scores were calculated based on three-day dietary records. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using the Tanita MC 980 body composition analyzer. Serum CML levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: A statistically significant but weak inverse correlation was observed between serum CML levels and DII scores ( r = −0.175; P = 0.033). Serum CML concentrations did not differ significantly according to sex, body mass index, or presence of chronic disease ( P > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate an inverse association between dietary inflammatory potential and circulating CML levels, highlighting the potential role of diet-related inflammation in AGE formation and aging-associated metabolic processes. Although the observed correlation was modest, the results emphasize the complex biological interplay between diet, inflammation, and AGE accumulation. Given the relatively young study population and limited sample size, the findings should be interpreted cautiously. Future studies including larger and more diverse cohorts, as well as comprehensive assessments of dietary components and antioxidant capacity, are warranted to inform dietary strategies for the prevention of AGE-related diseases.