Amplifiers of systemic inflammation - the role advanced glycation and lipoxidation end products in foods

ABSTRACT

Chronic diseases are repeatedly associated to accumulation in the body of glycated and lipoxidated proteins and peptides. PubMed reports in excess of 5000 papers plus about 14,000 articles about the related HbA[1c] RAGE, a member of the immunoglobulin super-family of cell surface molecules and receptor for advanced glycation end products, functions as a master switch, induces sustained activation of NF-[K]B, suppresses a series of endogenous auto-regulatory functions and converts long-lasting pro-inflammatory signals into sustained cellular dysfunction and disease. RAGE is activated by high levels of dysfunctioning proteins in body fluids and tissues and is strongly associated with chronic diseases from allergy and Alzheimer to rheumatoid arthritis and urogenital disorders. Heat-treatment, irradiation and ionization of foods increase the content in foods of advanced glycated end-products [AGE] and advances lipoxidated end-products [ALE]. Some processed foods, much like tobacco smoking are major contributors to accumulation of glycated and lipoxidated molecules in the tissues. Change of life style avoidance of foods rich in deranged proteins and peptides and increased consumption of antioxidants, especially polyphenols counteracts such a development