Role of advanced glycation endproducts in bone fragility in type 1 diabetes

The excess fracture risk observed in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is inexplicable in the presence of only modest reductions in areal bone mineral density (BMD). Accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in bone has been invoked as one explanation for the increased bone fragility in diabetes. The evidence linking AGEs and fractures in individuals with T1D is sparse, although the association has been observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Recent data show that in T1D, AGEs as measured by skin intrinsic fluorescence, are a risk factor for lower BMD. Further research in T1D is needed to ascertain whether there is a causal relationship between fractures and AGEs. If confirmed, this would pave the way for finding interventions that can slow AGE accumulation and thus reduce fractures in T1D.