Study of plasma methylglyoxal level in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Background
Type II diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is the most hazardous glycating agent.


Objective
To assess the role of MGO in diabetic patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).


Patients and methods
This is a prospective study that was conducted on 60 patients with type II diabetes mellitus, comprising 30 males and 30 females, with age ranged from 50 to 62 years. They were classified into two groups: group 1 included 30 patients with type II diabetes mellitus with CVD based on patients known to have ischemic heart disease, hypertension, pervious history of angina pectoris, or myocardial infraction, along with positive findings in ECG and echocardiography. It included 15 males and 15 females. Their age was between 51 and 62 years, with mean±SD of 55.9±5.5 years. Group 2 included 30 patients with type II diabetes mellitus without CVD, based on not being hypertensive, having no history of chest pain, along with normal ECG and echocardiography. It included 15 males and 15 females. Their age was between 50 and 61 years, with mean±SD of 55.5±5.2 years.


Results
There were highly significant increases in MGO in patients with type II diabetes mellitus with CVDs compared with patients with type II diabetes mellitus without CVDs, with P value less than 0.001. There was a positive correlation between MGO and indices of glycemic control (fasting blood sugar, 2 h postprandial, and glycated hemoglobin). There was a positive correlation between MGO and cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, BMI, diastolic dysfunction of the heart, and diabetic retinopathy, but there was a negative correlation between MGO and high-density lipoprotein and ejection fraction of the heart, which means that MGO level is increased in heart failure.


Conclusion
Our study proved the importance of MGO in type II diabetic CVD in humans. We need future studies to assess the role of MGO in diabetic complications.