Abstract Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are proteins or lipids that become glycated as a result of exposure to sugars. AGEs are considered as a heterogeneous group of compounds that rise non-enzymatically by the reaction of reducing sugars and other α-carbonylic compounds with amino groups, not only with proteins but also with lipids and nucleic acids. The formation of AGEs is a key pathophysiological event not only in diabetic complications but also in widespread pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, chronic renal failure, decreased skin elasticity, erectile dysfunction, pulmonary fibrosis and atherosclerosis. AGEs once formed disproportionately, initiate a wide range of abnormal responses in cells and tissues that include inappropriate expression of growth factors, alterations in growth dynamics, accumulation of extracellular matrix, promotion of vasoregulatory dysfunction, initiation of death pathways, generation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines. Although several anti-AGE compounds have been studied and have been found beneficial in several pathologies yet their unexplored, vast and tremendous potential is to be realized.
Keywords advanced glycation end products, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes.