ACCELERATED FORMATION OF N-EPSILON-(CARBOXYMETHYL) LYSINE, AN ADVANCED GLYCATION END-PRODUCT, BY GLYOXAL AND 3-DEOXYGLUCOSONE IN CULTURED RAT SENSORY NEURONS

The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is associated with pathophysiological changes with aging and disease processes. In t he neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerativ e diseases, AGEs are speculated to play a role in their pathogenesis. We provide the first evidence for the induction of AGEs in cultured ne uronal cells. Glyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), AGE precursors, ind uced N-epsilon-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), a well characterized and major AGE structure, in cultured rat sensory neurons in a time- and do se dependent manner. CML formation was prevented by addition of aminog uanidine, an inhibitor of AGE formation. This culture system provides a useful model to analyze the role of the glycoxidation reaction in ne uronal aging and neurodegenerative disorder. (C) 1998 Academic Press.