Plasma levels of advanced glycation endproducts are associated with type 1 diabetes and coronary artery calcification

Marcelle G. A. van Eupen, Miranda T. Schram, Helen M. Colhoun, Jean L. J. M. Scheijen, Coen D. A. Stehouwer, Casper G. Schalkwijk*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) may play a role in the development of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We studied plasma AGEs in association with T1DM and CAC, and whether or not the latter association could be explained by low-grade inflammation (LGI) or endothelial dysfunction (ED). Methods: We studied 165 individuals with and 169 without T1DM. CAC was quantified in a CAC score based on CT-scanning. Plasma levels of protein-bound pentosidine, N-epsilon-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) and Ne-(carboxyethyl) lysine (CEL) were measured with HPLC/UPLC with fluorescence detection or tandem-mass spectrometry. Tetrahydropyrimidine (THP) was measured with ELISA, as were HsCRP, and sVCAM-1 and vWF, as markers for LGI and ED, respectively. Associations were analyzed with ANCOVA and adjusted for age, sex, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profile, eGFR and T1DM. Results: Individuals with T1DM had higher plasma levels of pentosidine, CML and THP compared with controls; means (95% CI) were 0.69 (0.65-0.73) vs. 0.51 (0.48-0.54) nmol/mmol LYS, p <0.001; 105 (102-107) vs. 93 (90-95) nmol/mmol LYS, p <0.001; and 126 (118-134) vs. 113 (106-120) U/mL, p = 0.03, respectively. Levels of pentosidine were higher in individuals with T1DM with a moderate to high compared with a low CAC score, means (95% CI) were 0.81 (0.70-0.93) vs. 0.67 (0.63-0.71) nmol/mmol LYS, p = 0.03, respectively. This difference was not attenuated by adjustment for LGI or ED. Conclusions: We found a positive association between pentosidine and CAC in T1DM. These results may indicate that AGEs are possibly involved in the development of CAC in individuals with T1DM.
Original languageEnglish
Article number149
JournalCardiovascular Diabetology
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Oct 2013

Keywords

  • Advanced glycation endproducts
  • Coronary artery calcification
  • Type 1 diabetes

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