To investigate a role of the Maillard reaction in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, we measured serum levels of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), a potent protein cross-linking intermediate of the Maillard reaction, and tissue contents of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. We quantified serum 3-DG using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and measured AGE contents in tissues using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a monoclonal anti-AGE antibody. The STZ-induced diabetic rats showed nephropathy with proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia and reduced creatinine clearance. Serum levels of 3-DG in the STZ-induced diabetic rats (mean +/- 3.46 +/- 0.23 mumol/l) were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those in control rats (1.23 +/- 0.13 mumol/l). AGE contents in the kidney and the lens obtained from the STZ-induced diabetic rats (398 +/- 45 and 816 +/- 200 arbitrary units, respectively) were also significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those in the control rats (122 +/- 10 and 299 +/- 50 arbitrary units, respectively). The results indicate that increased levels of serum 3-DG and renal tissue. AGEs may be related to the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy.
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Niwa et al. (2008) studied this question.