Glucosepane is a major protein cross-link of the senescent human extracellular matrix. Relationship with diabetes.

The extracellular matrix in most tissues is characterized by progressive age-related stiffening and loss of proteolytic digestibility that are accelerated in diabetes and can be duplicated by the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars and extracellular matrix proteins. However, most cross-links of the Maillard reaction described so far are present in quantities too low to account for these changes. Here we have determined in human skin and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) collagen the levels of the recently discovered lysine-arginine cross-links derived from glucose, methylglyoxal, glyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone, i.e. glucosepane, MODIC, GODIC, and DOGDIC, respectively. Insoluble preparations of skin collagen (n = 110) and glomerular basement membrane (GBM, n = 28) were enzymatically digested, and levels were measured by isotope dilution technique using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. In skin, all cross-links increased with age (p < 0.0001) except DOGDIC (p = 0.34). In nondiabetic controls, levels at 90 years were 2000, 30, and 15 pmol/mg for glucosepane, MODIC, and GODIC, respectively. Diabetes, but not renal failure, increased glucosepane to 5000 pmol/mg (p < 0.0001), and for all others, increased it to <60 pmol/mg (p < 0.01). In GBMs, glucosepane reached up to 500 pmol/mg of collagen and was increased in diabetes (p < 0.0001) but not old age. In conclusion, glucosepane is the single major cross-link of the senescent extracellular matrix discovered so far, accounting for up to >120 mole% of triple helical collagen modification in diabetes. Its presence in high quantities may contribute to a number of structural and cell matrix dysfunctions observed in aging and diabetes.

Paradoxical effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) and antioxidant vitamins in diabetic rats: improved retinopathy and renal mitochondrial defects but deterioration of collagen matrix glycoxidation and cross-linking.

We tested the hypothesis that green tea prevents diabetes-related tissue dysfunctions attributable to oxidation. Diabetic rats were treated daily with tap water, vitamins C and E, or fresh Japanese green tea extract. After 12 months, body weights were decreased, whereas glycated lysine in aorta, tendon, and plasma were increased by diabetes (P < 0.001) but unaffected by treatment. Erythrocyte glutathione and plasma hydroperoxides were improved by the vitamins (P < 0.05) and green tea (P < 0.001). Retinal superoxide production, acellular capillaries, and pericyte ghosts were increased by diabetes (P < 0.001) and improved by green tea and the vitamins (P variable). Lens crystallin fluorescence at 370/440 nm was ameliorated by green tea (P < 0.05) but not the vitamins. Marginal effects on nephropathy parameters were noted. However, suppressed renal mitochondrial NADH-linked ADP-dependent and dinitrophenol-dependent respiration and complex III activity were improved by green tea (P variable). Green tea also suppressed the methylglyoxal hydroimidazolone immunostaining of a 28-kDa mitochondrial protein. Surprising, glycoxidation in tendon, aorta, and plasma was either worsened or not significantly improved by the vitamins and green tea. Glucosepane cross-links were increased by diabetes (P < 0.001), and green tea worsened total cross-linking. In conclusion, green tea and antioxidant vitamins improved several diabetes-related cellular dysfunctions but worsened matrix glycoxidation in selected tissues, suggesting that antioxidant treatment tilts the balance from oxidative to carbonyl stress in the extracellular compartment.

Carbohydrate carbonyl mobility--the key process in the formation of alpha-dicarbonyl intermediates.

Covalently cross-linked proteins are among the major modifications caused by the advanced Maillard reaction. In the present study, the formation pathway of the dideoxyosone N6-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-L-lysine is shown. To elucidate the formation of this glucose-derived dideoxyosone D-lactose (O-beta-D-galp-(1-->4)-D-glcp) and D-glucose-6-phosphate were incubated with lysine in the presence of the trapping reagent o-phenylenediamine (OPD). Synthesis and unequivocal structural characterization were reported for the quinoxalines of the dideoxyosones N6-(5,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dioxohexyl)-L-lysine and N6-(2,3-dihydroxy-4,5-dioxohexyl)-L-lysine, respectively. Additionally, dicarbonyl compounds derived from D-erythrose, D-glycero-D-mannoheptose, and D-gluco-L-talooctose were synthesized and structurally characterized.

Characterization and detection of lysine-arginine cross-links derived from dehydroascorbic acid.

Covalently cross-linked proteins are among the major modifications caused by the advanced Maillard reaction. So far, the chemical nature of these aggregates is largely unknown. L-dehydroascorbic acid (DHA, 5), the oxidation product of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), is known as a potent glycation agent. Identification is reported for the lysine-arginine cross-links N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (9), N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (11), and N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-[(1S,2S)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (13). The formation pathways could be established starting from dehydroascorbic acid (5), the degradation products 1,3,4-trihydroxybutan-2-one (7, L-erythrulose), 3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanal (10, L-threosone), and L-threo-pentos-2-ulose (12, L-xylosone) were proven as precursors of the lysine-arginine cross-links 9, 11, and 13. Products 9 and 11 were synthesized starting from DHA 5, compound N6-[2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-5-[(1S,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysine (16) via the precursor D-erythro-pentos-2-ulose (15). The present study revealed that the modification of lysine and arginine side chains by DHA 5 is a complex process and could involve a number of reactive carbonyl species.

Pyridinium-carbaldehyde: active Maillard reaction product from the reaction of hexoses with lysine residues.

Besides the formation of the aminotriazine N6-[4-(3-amino-1,2,4-triazin-5-yl)-2,3-dihydroxybutyl]-L-lysine, the reaction of [1-13C]D-glucose with lysine and aminoguanidine leads to the generation of 6-[2-([[amino(imino)methyl]hydrazono]methyl)pyridinium-1-yl]-L-norleucine (14-13C1). The dideoxyosone N6-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-L-lysine was shown to be a precursor in the formation of 14-13C1, which proceeds via the reactive carbonyl intermediate 6-(2-formylpyridinium-1-yl)-L-norleucine (13-13C1). In order to study the reactivity of 13-13C1, the model compound 1-butyl-2-formylpyridinium (18) was prepared in a two-step procedure starting from 2-pyridinemethanol. The reaction of the pyridinium-carbaldehyde 18 with L-lysine yielded the Strecker analogous degradation product 2-(aminomethyl)-1-butylpyridinium and another compound, which was shown to be as 1-butyl-2-[(2-oxopiperidin-3-ylidene)methyl]pyridinium. Reaction of 18 with the C-H acidic 4-hydroxy-5-methylfuran-3(2H)-one leads to the formation of the condensation product 1-butyl-2-[hydroxy-(4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-oxofuran-2(3H)-ylidene)methyl]-pyridinium.

Site-specific quantitative evaluation of the protein glycation product N6-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-L-lysinate by LC-(ESI)MS peptide mapping: evidence for its key role in AGE formation.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute to various pathologies associated with the general aging process and long-term complications of diabetes. Involvement of alpha-dicarbonyl intermediates in the formation of such compounds is firmly established. We now report on the first unequivocal identification of the dideoxyosone N(6)-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-l-lysinate (4) on lysozyme via its quinoxaline derivative N(6)-(2,3-dihydroxy-4-quinoxalin-2-ylbutyl)-l-lysinate (6), formed by reaction of 4 with o-phenylenediamine (OPD). For accurate quantification of the total content of 6 as well as of glucosepane 5 by LC-(ESI)MS, (13)C(6)-labeled reference compounds were independently synthesized; 5 so far is the only established follow-up product of 4. With an overall lysine derivatization quota of 5%, compound 4 is shown to be a quantitatively important Maillard intermediate of which only about 8 per thousand are transformed into the cross-link 5. Hence, the major follow-up products of the highly reactive intermediate 4 are yet unknown. The site-specific quantitative evaluation of aminoketose 1 and quinoxaline 6 by LC-(ESI)MS peptide mapping shows that all lysine moieties in lysozyme are in fact modified by these compounds. If an arginine side chain is adjacent to the lysine moiety, transformation of 1 into 4 seems to be favored. The efficient formation and high reactivity of 4 clearly points to its potential as exogenous or endogenous glycotoxin.

Spiro cross-links: representatives of a new class of glycoxidation products.

Covalently cross-linked proteins are among the major modifications caused by the advanced Maillard reaction. So far, the chemical nature of these aggregates is largely unknown. Investigations are reported on the isolation of 6-[2-[[(4S)-4-amino-4-carboxybutyl]amino]-6,7-dihydroxy-6,7-dihydroimidazo[4,5-b]azepin-4(5H)-yl]-L-norleucine (10) and N-acetyl-6-[(6R,7R)-2-[[4-(acetylamino)-4-carboxybutyl]amino]-6,7,8a-trihydroxy-6,7,8,8a-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-b]azepin-4(5H)-yl]-L-norleucine (12) formed by oxidation of the major Maillard cross-link glucosepane 1. Independent synthesis and unequivocal structural characterization are given for 10 and 12. Spiro cross-links, representing a new class of glycoxidation products, were obtained by dehydrogenation of the amino imidazolinimine compounds N6-[2-[[(4S)-4-ammonio-5-oxido-5-oxopentyl]amino]-5-[(2S,3R)-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysinate (DOGDIC 2) and N6-[2-[[(4S)-4-ammonio-5-oxido-5-oxopentyl]amino]-5-[(2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ylidene]-L-lysinate (DOPDIC 3). These new oxidation products were synthesized, and their unambiguous structural elucidation proved the formation of the spiro imidazolimine structures N6-[(7R,8S)-2-[[(4S)-4-ammonio-5-oxido-5-oxopentyl]amino]-8-hydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)-6-oxa-1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-1-en-4-ylidene]-L-lysinate (16), N6-(8R,9S)-2-[(4S)-4-ammonio-5-oxido-5-oxopentyl]amino]-8,9-dihydroxy-6-oxa-1,3-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-1-en-4-ylidene)-L-lysinate (19), and N6-[(8S)-2-[(4-amino-4-carboxybutyl)amino]-8-hydroxy-6-oxa-1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-1-en-4-ylidene]-L-lysinate (18), respectively. It was shown that reaction of the imidazolinone 15 led to the formation of spiro imidazolones, structurally analogous to 16 and 19.

Effect of pyridoxamine on chemical modification of proteins by carbonyls in diabetic rats: characterization of a major product from the reaction of pyridoxamine and methylglyoxal.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) from the Maillard reaction contribute to protein aging and the pathogenesis of age- and diabetes-associated complications. The alpha-dicarbonyl compound methylglyoxal (MG) is an important intermediate in AGE synthesis. Recent studies suggest that pyridoxamine inhibits formation of advanced glycation and lipoxidation products. We wanted to determine if pyridoxamine could inhibit MG-mediated Maillard reactions and thereby prevent AGE formation. When lens proteins were incubated with MG at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, we found that pyridoxamine inhibits formation of methylglyoxal-derived AGEs concentration dependently. Pyridoxamine reduces MG levels in red blood cells and plasma and blocks formation of methylglyoxal-lysine dimer in plasma proteins from diabetic rats and it prevents pentosidine (an AGE derived from sugars) from forming in plasma proteins. Pyridoxamine also decreases formation of protein carbonyls and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances in plasma proteins from diabetic rats. Pyridoxamine treatment did not restore erythrocyte glutathione (which was reduced by almost half) in diabetic animals, but it enhanced erythrocyte glyoxalase I activity. We isolated a major product of the reaction between MG and pyridoxamine and identified it as methylglyoxal-pyridoxamine dimer. Our studies show that pyridoxamine reduces oxidative stress and AGE formation. We suspect that a direct interaction of pyridoxamine with MG partly accounts for AGE inhibition.

Identification and quantification of major maillard cross-links in human serum albumin and lens protein. Evidence for glucosepane as the dominant compound.

Glycation reactions leading to protein modifications (advanced glycation end products) contribute to various pathologies associated with the general aging process and long term complications of diabetes. However, only few relevant compounds have so far been detected in vivo. We now report on the first unequivocal identification of the lysine-arginine cross-links glucosepane 5, DOGDIC 6, MODIC 7, and GODIC 8 in human material. For their accurate quantification by coupled liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, (13)C-labeled reference compounds were synthesized independently. Compounds 5-8 are formed via the alpha-dicarbonyl compounds N(6)-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-l-lysinate (1a,b), 3-deoxyglucosone (), methylglyoxal (), and glyoxal (), respectively. The protein-bound dideoxyosone 1a,b seems to be of prime significance for cross-linking because it presumably is not detoxified by mammalian enzymes as readily as 2-4. Hence, the follow-up product glucosepane 5 was found to be the dominant compound. Up to 42.3 pmol of 5/mg of protein was identified in human serum albumin of diabetics; the level of 5 correlates markedly with the glycated hemoglobin HbA(1c). In the water-insoluble fraction of lens proteins from normoglycemics, concentration of 5 ranges between 132.3 and 241.7 pmol/mg. The advanced glycoxidation end product GODIC 8 is elevated significantly in brunescent lenses, indicating enhanced oxidative stress in this material. Compounds 5-8 thus appear predestined as markers for pathophysiological processes.