Reviewing AGEs and ALEs in Oxidative Stress and Aging

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the less discussed advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) are an interesting topic in the context of aging. There are in fact two distinct topics here. The first is the presence of persistent cross-links, in which glucosepane AGEs form links between extracellular matrix molecular, degrading the structural properties of tissue, particularly elasticity. These cross-links, arising from the normal operation of metabolism, are resilient and not broken down by our biochemistry. Some form of biotechnology, such as therapies based on enzymes mined from bacterial species that can metabolize glucosepane, will be required to remove their contribution to the aging process. The second topic is that a menagerie of many different short-lived AGEs and ALEs emerge in greater numbers in the aged or diabetic metabolism, and cause chronic inflammation via their interaction with the receptor for AGEs, RAGE. They also produce other significant changes for the worse in cellular behavior. There is also some debate over whether or not AGEs and ALEs in the diet are important in these processes, with evidence for either answer to that question. It isn't clear as to what might be the best approach to this side of the problem, but researchers are considering targeting RAGE as a single influential point of intervention. Oxidative stress is a consequence of the use of oxygen in aerobic respiration by living organisms and is denoted as a persiste...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs