Role of Advanced Glycation End Products in the Progression of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has become a world problem that seriously affected quality of life in concerned population; however, studies concerning its etiology and therapeutics are not so satisfactory. Hyperglycemia and oxidative stress damage are two hallmarks that aggravate the progression of each other. During this process, there will generate amounts of by-products, among which advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in promoting the beginning and progression of DM. AGEs may interact with its receptor named RAGE and induce a series of pathological effects, such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation etc., and form the so-called “hyperglycemia memory”. This article aims to review the pivotal role of AGEs in the progression of DM..