Potential Association of Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) measured by Skin Autofluorescence in Chinese Population

Abstract

Background: Type-2 diabetes (T2D) has been associated with increased endogenous formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Their accumulation in different tissues including articular collagen, skeletal and smooth vascular muscles, or glomerular basement membranes in T2D patients have been implicated. Objective: To assess the potential association of T2D in skin ageing associated with AGEs in Chinese population.Methods: A multicentre study was conducted in Chinese population of 560 subjects aged between 50 and 70 years who were evenly assigned in two groups of 280 each, paired by health status (healthy/diabetic), gender, and age group well balanced for hormonal replacement therapy/menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and skin characteristics. Skin conditions were examined by a dermatologist and skin autofluorescence (SAF) a marker of AGEs measured by a validated non-invasive in vivo measurement technique.Results: The results from this study confirmed the association of diabetes and skin ageing as increased AGEs accumulation were measured using SAF and contributed evidence on gender and ethnic origin on AGEs variations. This study opens the path of further investigation into the identification of significant effects of diabetes on major facial skin complexion parameters.