IMMUNOLOGICAL DETERMINATION OF ADVANCED GLYCOSYLATION END-PRODUCTS INHUMAN BLOOD AND URINE

Advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE) in human blood and urine wer e investigated with the aid of an AGE-specific enzyme-linked immunosor bent assay. Evidence is presented that AGE are natural constituents of human serum and urine. In diabetics with normal renal function only a small increase in serum AGE levels was found as compared to normal co ntrols, while no difference in urinary excretion rate was discernible. Urinary excretion rate of AGE from diabetic and non-diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease was reduced, while high serum AGE levels were observed. AGE in serum occur in a low-molecular-weight fraction and in a possibly protein-bound high-molecular-weight fraction. In uri ne from normal controls three immunologically reactive fractions were detected whose apparent molecular mass ranged from 100 to 1000 Daltons , while in urine from patients with end-stage renal failure additional high-molecular-weight fractions appeared.