Glycaemic patterns in healthy elderly individuals and in those with impaired glucose metabolism – exploring the relationship with nonglycaemic variables

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The SENIORLABOR study data were explored (i) to examine the evolution during senescence of the differences between measured glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values and the values predicted by using regression to extrapolate from measured fructosamine levels; (ii) to scrutinise the relationship between the glycation gap and insulin resistance using a homeostasis model assessment, and between the glycation gap and a low-grade inflammation marker (C-reactive protein serum concentration); and (iii) to investigate the glycation gap ranges in relation to triglyceride levels and kidney function.CONCLUSION: This is the first time that a direct comparison of healthy, prediabetic and diabetic participants, all assessed under identical conditions and using identical methodology, has clearly demonstrated a different glycation gap pattern. Thus, we contribute evidence that the glycation gap might be of interest in the care of diabetic patients and their prophylaxis, while acknowledging that more studies are needed to confirm our findings. (Trial registration number ISRCTN53778569)

Elementary Laboratory Assays as Biomarkers of Ageing: Support for Treatment of COVID-19?

“…Non-enzymatic glycation of proteins through the Maillard reaction is a physiological process, the extent of which impacts protein interactions with specific receptor (auto-) antibodies, protein half-lives, senescence, and protein folding. Thus, prediabetes, a pre-disease status, may be quantitatively estimated by measuring glycated HbA1c and fructosamine [ 13 ]. Biomarkers that might best gauge DALY are now being increasingly explored ( http://mortalitypredictors.org ) [ 59 ].…”

“…One approach that seems particularly relevant to the authors is using the widely available, relatively inexpensive, standardized and clinically validated routine laboratory analytes designed as biomarkers that are very similar to those used in the authors' SENIORLAB work [ 12 ]. Additional information may stem from ratio calculation of related analytes [ 13 , 104 ]. These biomarkers, available in larger population cohorts, can be composited and analysed to extract signatures of BA, which can be compared with CA.…”

“…One hundred five frequently used laboratory tests were performed for one blood sample. With a non-restrictive definition of health, several pathological laboratory results pointing to occult disease have been found and published [ 12 , 13 ].…”