Role of glycotoxic metabolites & detoxifying mechanisms in aging & disease

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a reactive metabolite generated from the metabolism of glucose. Increased formation of MG in vivo has been shown to be associated with the onset of tissue damage. MG and other endogenously formed dicarbonyl compounds can react with proteins to form Advanced Glycation Endproducts. Glyoxalase I (GLO1) is part of the glyoxalase system, and is the major cellular defence in the detoxification of MG. Decreased GLO1 activity in situ has been shown to result in an accumulation of MG, increased AGE formation, which can accumulate during physiological aging and at an accelerated rate in diabetes and…