We proposed a simple analytical procedure for measurement of serum advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) based on simultaneous detection of low-molecular-mass peptides and AGEs with a flow system and two detectors connected on-line: spectrophotometric for peptides (λ = 280 nm) and spectrofluorometric for AGEs (λex = 247 nm, λem = 440 nm). Sample pretreatment was carried out in microcentrifuge tubes: Serum (20 μL) was deproteinized with trichloroacetic acid (480 μL, 0.15 mol/L) and lipids were extracted with chloroform (100 μL). Twenty microliters of the filtered aqueous layer was injected to the flow system and the relation between fluorescence and absorption signals was measured. A peptide-derived AGE calibrator was used for calibration. Within-day and between-day CVs were 6.7% and 9.1%, respectively, at an AGE concentration corresponding approximately to that in healthy individuals. Mean results (±SD) in 10 healthy individuals were 10.1% ± 1.0%, in 21 patients with diabetes without complications 18.0% ± 6.2%, in 25 patients with complications 24.1% ± 15.4%, and in 12 diabetic patients in end-stage renal disease 92% ± 30%. Comparison with an ELISA procedure (x, in arbitrary units/L) yields a regression equation y = 0.713x + 1.24 (Sy‖x = 6777, r = 0.8477, n = 41).

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Our aim was to investigate the adverse effects of occupational exposure to trivalent chromium. We measured chromium and iron levels in serum and urine and hemoglobin levels in tannery workers and unexposed persons. We studied three groups of subjects. Group 1 included 15 non-smoking male tannery workers highly exposed to chromium from tanning and retanning departments. Group 2 included 14 non-smoking male tannery workers with moderate chromium exposure from dying, drying and finishing departments. Group 3 included 11 healthy, non-smoking male subjects without direct chromium exposure. Higher serum chromium levels were observed in ). In group 1 an inverse association was found between serum chromium and urine iron (-0.524), urine chromium and hemoglobin (-0.594) and between the urine chromium to iron ratio and hemoglobin (-0.693, p<0.05). The results suggest a chromium adverse effect on iron metabolism, possibly associated with excessive body chromium accumulation. In conclusion, chromium urine test could be recommended for diagnosis of chromium adverse effect on iron metabolism. Further studies are needed to quantify the relationship between urine chromium and hemoglobin metabolism.

The AGEs measurement in skin, serum and saliva are useful to evaluate diabetes complications. AGEs in skin are associated with years since diagnosis of diabetes. Correction for renal function might discriminate AGEs in situ formation from accumulation.

The association of periodontal disease with diabetes was studied in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. In a cross-sectional design, 100 patients (46 males and 54 females) were selected in 4 groups according to age and years since diagnosis of diabetes. The groups were: group 1, > 55 years old, diabetes diagnosed > or = 5 years; group 2, < or = 55 years old, diabetes diagnosed > or = 5 years; group 3, > 55 years, diabetes diagnosed < 5 years; and group 4, < or = 55 years, diabetes diagnosed < 5 years. Buccal and lingual pockets were deeper and lingual and buccal recessions greater for groups diagnosed 5 or more years ago, (P < 0.0001). In groups diagnosed less than 5 years, higher recession indices were found for patients older than 55. The loss of buccal insertion was also greater for groups diagnosed 5 or more years ago (P < 0.0001). For groups diagnosed less than 5 years ago, the loss was greater in the group older than 55 (P = 0.01). There was a marginal difference in gingival bleeding among the 4 groups (P = 0.047). Post-hoc analysis showed differences between the 2 groups who had been diagnosed less than 5 years, with lower indices for patients < or = 55. All groups were statistically different regarding bone loss (P < 0.0001), with higher indices for the groups with older age, and for groups with 5 or more years since diagnosis. There was no difference in dental mobility among the 4 groups (P = 0.0981). It was concluded that years since diagnosis of diabetes is more significant than age for severity of periodontal disease in NIDDM.