Abstract
Serum levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are markedly elevated in adults with chronic renal failure (CRF) and diabetes mellitus. Accumulation of AGEs in tissues contributes to the development of long-term complications. Up to now little has been known about the formation of AGEs in childhood. We determined serum levels of the well known AGEs pentosidine and Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine (CML) in children with CRF (n=12), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (n=9), renal transplantation (n=12), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (n=42) and in healthy children (n=20). Pentosidine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), CML by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. Serum levels of pentosidine and CML were significantly higher in the children with CRF and ESRD than in controls (P<0.001), but nearly within the normal range after transplantation. Both AGEs showed a significant negative correlation with creatinine clearance (P<0.001). During a single session of low-flux hemodialysis, total pentosidine and CML levels did not change. Free pentosidine, however, was reduced by 78% (P=0.04). Diabe-tic children showed significantly elevated pentosidine levels (P<0.001) despite normal renal function. We conclude that, similar to adults, increased formation and accumulation of AGEs also exist in children with CRF and type 1 diabetes mellitus. At present the best prevention of AGE-related complications is an early renal transplantation in children with ESRD, as well as a careful metabolic monitoring of diabetics.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 25 July 2001 / Revised: 14 November 2001 / Accepted: 18 November 2001
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Misselwitz, J., Franke, S., Kauf, E. et al. Advanced glycation end products in children with chronic renal failure and type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Nephrol 17, 316–321 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-001-0815-9
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-001-0815-9