Skin autofluorescence as tool for cardiovascular and diabetes risk prediction

Abstract

Purpose of reviewAdvanced glycation endproducts (AGE) have an important role in the development of chronic complications in diabetes mellitus and in renal failure. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a simple noninvasive optical technique to estimate AGE levels in the dermis. SAF increases with age, but rises more rapidly in diabetes and renal failure, and is also associated with, and a predictor of their complications. Recent findingsIn recent large population studies, SAF is a strong predictor of development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and in persons with known diabetes of its complications. SAF also predicts new cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality not only in individuals with known type 2 diabetes but also in the general population. SummarySAF is a simple, powerful and independent predictor for development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and also for cardiovascular disease and mortality in both persons with diabetes, and in the general population.

Skin Autofluorescence as a Potential Adjunctive Marker for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

“…This follows previous data about SAF's ability to predict complications of DM. Also, in another paper, Smit et al [28] reported SAF to be a simple, non-invasive tool for the evaluation of AGE levels and also in identifying patients with, or at high risk for developing, DM, those at high CV risk, including vascular complications.…”

“…Additionally, researchers noted an association between skin autofluorescence (SAF) and heightened risk for diverse populations encountering CVEs [21,22]. This relationship between vascular injury and AGEs has been widely studied, and AGEs have been identified as potential indicators of CVEs and fatalities [21,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. A non-invasive technique for quantifying AGEs known as SAF has emerged as a promising instrument for evaluating CV risk.…”

Research Advances on the Damage Mechanism of Skin Glycation and Related Inhibitors

“…Skin autofluorescence (SAF) has been shown to be a biomarker of cumulative skin AGEs [ 69 ], and measuring facial fluorescence intensity allows for an assessment of the skin glycation index [ 67 ]. SAF is also a powerful and independent predictor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D) [ 70 ]. Most compounds on the cosmetic market focus on blocking or reversing the initial saccharification reaction, i.e., the binding between proteins and sugars, reducing the formation of early saccharification Amadori products [ 71 ].…”