Advanced glycation end product accumulation: a new enemy to target in chronic kidney disease?

Purpose of review The critical role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the progression of chronic diseases and their complications has recently become more apparent. This review summarizes the recent contributions to the field of AGEs in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent findings Over the past 3 decades, AGEs have been implicated in the progression of CKD, and specifically diabetic nephropathy. Although numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies highlight the detrimental role of AGEs accumulation in tissue injury, few prospective human studies or clinical trials show that inhibiting this process ameliorates disease. Nonetheless, recent studies have focused on the novel mechanisms that contribute to end-organ injury as a result of AGEs accumulation, as well as novel targets of therapy in kidney disease. Summary As the prevalence and the incidence of CKD rises in the United States, it is essential to identify therapeutic strategies that either delay the progression of CKD or improve mortality in this population. The focus of this review is on highlighting the recent studies that advance our current understanding of the mechanisms mediating AGEs-induced CKD progression, as well as novel treatment strategies that have the potential to abrogate this disease process.