Mass spectrometry of advanced glycation end products.

Mass spectrometry, in particular matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation, is a powerful analytical tool in studies devoted to protein non-enzymatic glycation. It has been firstly tested on in vitro glycated proteins, and looking at the reliable results so obtained, on in vivo glycated proteins in population of healthy, well-controlled and badly controlled diabetic patients. The comparison of the data so obtained in case of human serum albumin and IgG unequivocally demonstrates the highest glycation level for the third set of subjects. Further results obtained in the case of hemoglobin glycation showed that both alpha and beta globins are glycated in a similar extent and that the method can be employed to investigate on the "oxidative stress" experimented by the patients.