Serum AGEs in black South African patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels in black South African patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to compare the results with those reported for other ethnic/race groups. Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Setting and subjects: The study subjects consisted of 138 black South African patients with T2D and 81 non-diabetic patients at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. Outcome measures: Serum total AGEs (TAGEs), Nη-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), Nη-carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL) and fluorescent AGEs (FAGEs). Results: Serum TAGEs, CML and CEL levels but not FAGEs were significantly higher in T2D patients than in non-diabetic patients. Serum TAGEs were lower than those reported for other ethnic/race groups whereas CML and FAGEs were within ranges reported for other ethnic/race groups. Only serum CEL levels were significantly higher in male than in female T2D patients and only serum FAGEs levels were negatively associated with age of the study subjects. Conclusions: With the exception of FAGEs, serum AGEs levels are significantly higher in T2D than in non-diabetic black South Africans patients. Also, serum TAGE levels black South African appear to be lower than those reported for other ethnic/race groups.