Advanced Glycation End Products in Nephrology

The pathological role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and of oxidative-carbonylic stress is well known in the context of diabetes. Moreover, there is also strong evidence that they play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of some chronic disorders related to uremia, and namely to cardiovascular complications and dialysis-related amyloidosis. They may even play a crucial role in the loss of function of the peritoneal membrane in patients on peritoneal dialysis, a problem which limits the duration of such a treatment. Written by some of the most authoritative European experts, this publication includes up-to-date contributions on AGEs as related to diabetic nephropathy, hemodialysis and, particularly, peritoneal dialysis. The topics covered range from basic research (e.g. novel pathogenic pathways triggered by AGEs) to clinical issues, including substitutive therapy in uremic diabetic patients as well as original and new results from a clinical trial on peritoneal dialysis with a new bag. This publication will be of interest to nephrologists as well as those working in the field of diabetes or otherwise involved in AGE research, giving an idea into what direction research in this complex field is going and which will probably be the major clinical breakthroughs in the near future.