Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE): a novel therapeutic target for diabetic vascular complication

Curr Pharm Des. 2008;14(5):487-95. doi: 10.2174/138161208783597416.

Abstract

Diabetic vascular complication is a leading cause of acquired blindness, end-stage renal failure, a variety of neuropathies and accelerated atherosclerosis, which could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. Although several hyperglycemia-elicited metabolic and hemodynamic derangements have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complication, the process of formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their mode of action are most compatible with the theory 'hyperglycemic memory'. Further, there is a growing body of evidence that AGEs and their receptor (RAGE) axis is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complication. Indeed, the engagement of RAGE with AGEs is shown to elicit oxidative stress generation and subsequently evoke inflammatory responses in various types of cells, thus playing an important role in the development and progression of diabetic micro- and macroangiopathy. These observations suggest that down-regulation of RAGE expression or blockade of the RAGE downstream signaling may be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in diabetic vascular complication. In this review, we discuss several types of agents that could potentially inhibit RAGE expression or its downstream pathways and their therapeutic implications in diabetic vascular complication.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / pharmacology
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / metabolism
  • Diphosphonates / pharmacology
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products
  • Receptors, Immunologic / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Diphosphonates
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products
  • Receptors, Immunologic