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Review
. 2023 Nov 24;28(23):7742.
doi: 10.3390/molecules28237742.

Methylglyoxal in Cardiometabolic Disorders: Routes Leading to Pathology Counterbalanced by Treatment Strategies

Izabela Berdowska  1 , Małgorzata Matusiewicz  1 , Izabela Fecka  2
Affiliations
Review

Methylglyoxal in Cardiometabolic Disorders: Routes Leading to Pathology Counterbalanced by Treatment Strategies

Izabela Berdowska et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is the major compound belonging to reactive carbonyl species (RCS) responsible for the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Its upregulation, followed by deleterious effects at the cellular and systemic levels, is associated with metabolic disturbances (hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance/hyperlipidemia/inflammatory processes/carbonyl stress/oxidative stress/hypoxia). Therefore, it is implicated in a variety of disorders, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, an interplay between pathways leading to MGO generation and scavenging is addressed in regard to this system's impairment in pathology. The issues associated with mechanistic MGO involvement in pathological processes, as well as the discussion on its possible causative role in cardiometabolic diseases, are enclosed. Finally, the main strategies aimed at MGO and its AGEs downregulation with respect to cardiometabolic disorders treatment are addressed. Potential glycation inhibitors and MGO scavengers are discussed, as well as the mechanisms of their action.

Keywords: MG-H1; advanced glycation end products; cardiovascular disease; diabetes mellitus; glyoxalase; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; metformin; methylglyoxal; methylglyoxal scavengers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examples of MAGEs effects on the selected molecular and cellular processes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Impact of hyperglycemia on cardiovascular complication development.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The main actors in the process of nonenzymatic glycation, cellular defense mechanisms against excessive glycation and accumulation of MGO and MAGEs, as well as known glycation inhibitors and MGO scavengers. Red arrows indicate pathological processes, blue arrows indicate protective mechanisms; ↑ increase/activation, ↓ decrease/inhibition.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Assumed mechanisms of glycation inhibitors and related pathways.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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