Receptor of advanced glycation end products and cardiovascular risk in elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The interaction of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) and their specific receptor, Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE) play an important role in diabetes and vascular complications. Engagement of RAGE by AGEs leads to activation of cellular signaling pathways and vascular dysfunction. The soluble RAGE (sRAGE) acts as a decoy receptor for AGEs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soluble RAGE in elderly subjects with T2DM and its relationships with glycoxidative, inflammatory and cardiovascular risk markers. The serum AGEs, sRAGE, interleukine- 6 (IL-6), lipid profile, glycemic status, uric acid, creatinine and cardiovascular risk markers were determined in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, N=72, 75±4 years old) and aged-match healthy subjects (N=15, 76±3 years old). Significant higher levels of AGEs and AGEs/sRAGE ratio concomitantly with significant lower levels of sRAGE were pointed out in elderly subjects with T2DM as compared to control. The values of AGEs/sRAGE ratio were significantly positively associated (P<0.05) with atherogenic, inflammatory and cardiovascular risk markers and significantly negatively with anti-atherogenic lipoproteins (P<0.05). The multivariate regression analyses showed that atherogenic index was an independent predictor of sRAGE levels and AGEs/sRAGE ratio values. The associations of soluble RAGE and the AGEs/sRAGE ratio with atherogenic and inflammatory markers could reflect the protective role of soluble variants of RAGE in atherosclerosis and diabetes vascular complications.