Advanced glycation end products: a link between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus?

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are synthesized via the non enzymaticglycation and oxidation of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The production of AGEs is particularly enhanced in chronic hyperglycemia, as in diabetes mellitus (DM). The formation of irreversible AGEs affects the tissues by compromising the physiologic and mechanical functions, as a result of defective constitution of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of microbial origin, resulting in devastation of the tooth supporting apparatus. This disease condition has severe implicationsin subjects with DM, since the tooth supporting tissuescontain ECM targeted by AGE. There is miniscule literature regarding the contribution of AGE to periodontal disease in patients with DM. The purpose of this review is to address the prejudicial role of AGEs in relation to various tissue components. This paper is an attempt to elucidatethe possible link of AGEs between periodontitis and DM. The exploration of novel therapeutic strategies to target AGEs for the treatment of periodontitis in DM subjects is certainly intriguing.