Reference values of skin autofluorescence as an estimation of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products in a general Slovak population

• Published in: Diabetic medicine 2014-05, Vol.31 (5), p.581-585
• Main Authors: Simon Klenovics, K., Kollárová, R., Hodosy, J., Celec, P., Šebeková, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Baby foods; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Feeding; Child; Child, Preschool; Diabetes; Endocrinopathies; Exercise; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycation End Products, Advanced - metabolism; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mortality; Netherlands; Optical Imaging; Reference Values; Skin; Skin - metabolism; Slovakia; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0742-3071; 1464-5491
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.12326

Aims For decades, Slovakia has maintained a prominent place in mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases among European Union (EU‐27) countries. Determination of skin autofluorescence serves as an estimate of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products—substances accumulating in tissues and body fluids that play a pathophysiological role in age‐related diseases and their complications, such as diabetes. Methods In 1385 apparently healthy Slovakian subjects aged from a few days old to 77 years, skin autofluorescence was determined using an advanced glycation end product reader and compared with reference data from Dutch Caucasians. The impact of the weekly frequency of recreational physical exercise on skin autofluorescence was investigated in the adults, and the impact of feeding regimen in the infants. Results With the exception of 10‐ to 19‐year‐olds, Slovaks had lower skin autofluorescence values in comparison with the Dutch Caucasians. In healthy non‐smokers, physical exercise for > 30 min/day performed ≥ 3 times/week was associated with lower skin autofluorescence levels. In infants, breastfeeding (advanced glycation end product‐poor diet) was associated with lower skin autofluorescence levels in comparison with consumption of infant formulas (advanced glycation end product‐rich diet). Conclusions Reference ranges of skin autofluorescence in Slovak Caucasians, detailed for paediatric age groups, are provided. Our data show that, in healthy adults, regular physical exercise associates with lower skin autofluorescence. Infants fed or weaned from infant formulas (advanced glycation end product‐rich diet) have higher skin autofluorescence than their breast milk‐consuming counterparts. It is unclear why Slovaks have lower skin autofluorescence compared with a Dutch population with lower cardiovascular mortality rates. Reference data on skin autofluorescence from diverse populations are needed for the precise clinical interpretation of skin autofluorescence measurements. What's new? Slovak adults, presenting one of the highest rates of cardiovascular mortality within European Union (EU‐27) countries, display lower skin autofluorescence (a widely used estimate of cardiovascular risk in high‐risk patient groups) than age‐matched Dutch adults, who have the third‐lowest cardiovascular mortality among EU‐27 countries. In adults, regular physical exercise is associated with lower skin autofluorescence. Formula‐fed (advanced glycation end product‐ric