Diabetes and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity: a review.

The enzyme of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity has been reported to be elevated in blood from diabetic patients. SSAO are widely distributed in plasma membranes of various tissues and blood plasma. SSAO-mediated production of toxic aldehydes has been proposed to be related to pathophysiological conditions. Cytotoxic metabolites by SSAO may cause endothelial injury and subsequently induce atherosclerosis. The precise physiological functions of SSAO could play an important role in the control of energy balance in adipose tissue. It is possible that the increased SSAO activity in diabetes may be a result of up-regulation due to increase of SSAO substrates, such as methylamine or aminoacetone. SSAO could play an important role in the regulation of adipocyte homeostasis. Inhibition of SSAO could be of therapeutic value for treatment of diabetic patient.