HISTOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION OF ADVANCED GLYCOSYLATION END-PRODUCTS IN THE PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

We studied the immunohistochemical localization of advanced glycosylat ion end products (AGEs) in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Fo urteen NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy were evaluated: 2 pati ents with normoalbuminuria, 4 with microalbuminuria (MA) and 8 with ov ert proteinuria (OF). Three patients with minor glomerular abnormaliti es were used as nondiabetic controls. Immunoreactivity to a monoclonal anti-AGE antibody (6D12) was recognized on the internal elastic membr anes of arterial walls in every diabetic group. Hyaline lesions of art erioles of the MA and OP groups demonstrated strong reactions with 6D1 2. A portion of the nodular and exudative lesions in glomeruli of OP g roup patients also revealed immunoreactivity to 6D12. No immunoreactiv ity to 6D12 was observed in nondiabetic control specimens. We confirm that the accumulation of AGEs began in arterial walls of the early sta ge and presented in glomerular lesions of the late stage of the progre ssion of diabetic nephropathy.