Agents that block advanced glycation end product (AGE)-RAGE (receptor for AGEs)-oxidative stress system: a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic vascular complications.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic vascular complications are leading causes of acquired blindness, end-stage renal failure, a variety of neuropathies, and accelerated atherosclerosis, which together could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. Since there is accumulating evidence that the advanced glycation end product (AGE)-RAGE (receptor for AGEs)-oxidative stress axis is involved in diabetic vascular complications, inhibition of the AGE-RAGE system may be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in these devastating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: In this review, we discuss several types of agent that may be able to inhibit the AGE-RAGE-oxidative stress system, and their therapeutic implications in vascular complications in diabetes.

METHODS: We have analyzed currently available scientific literature in the field of AGE-RAGE to create a comprehensive review on novel therapeutic agents for vascular complications in diabetes.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Inhibition of AGE formation, blockade of the AGE-RAGE interaction, and suppression of RAGE expression or its downstream pathways may be novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular complications in diabetes.