Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to quantify expression of two genes coding for advanced glycation end-product receptors [RAGE ( AGER) and AGER1 ( DDOST)] and of the gene coding the deacetylase SIRT1 ( SIRT1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from type 1 diabetes patients without [Group A, n = 35; 28.5 (24-39) years old; median (interquartile interval)] or with at least one microvascular complication [Group B, n = 117; 34.5 (30-42) years old]; 31 healthy controls were also included. In a subgroup of 48 patients, daily advanced glycation end-products intake before blood collection was assessed. Lower expression of DDOST was found in patients than in controls after adjustment for sex, age, use of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. Higher expressions of AGER, DDOST and SIRT1 were observed in Group A. Stratifying by complications, AGER and DDOST expressions were higher in those without retinopathy and without diabetic kidney disease, respectively, compared to patients with these complications. Patients using statins or angiotensin receptor blockers presented higher expression of DDOST. Expression of SIRT1 was higher in patients consuming ≥12,872 KU daily of advanced glycation end-products. Although AGER, DDOST and SIRT1 are differently expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from type 1 diabetes patients with and without microvascular complications, they are also influenced by dietary advanced glycation end-products and by statins and angiotensin receptor blockers.
Keywords: Sirtuin 1; Type 1 diabetes; advanced glycation end-product receptor 1; advanced glycation end-products; microvascular complications; receptor for advanced glycation end-products.