High serum levels of CML are associated with poor coronary collateralization in type 2 diabetic patients with chronic total occlusion of coronary artery

Background: The formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is a crucial risk factor for the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether N-e-carboxy-methyl-lysine (CML), a major form of AGEs in vivo, was associated with poor coronary collateral vessel (CCV) formation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary artery.Methods: This study consisted of 242 T2DM patients with angiographically documented CTO. Blood samples were obtained and demographic/clinical characteristics were documented. The collateralization of these patients was defined according to Rentrop score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariable regression analysis were performed.Results: 242 patients were categorized into poor CCV group (Rentrop score 0 and 1)(n = 107) and good CCV group (Rentrop score 2 and 3)(n = 135). Serum CML levels were significantly higher in poor CCV group (110.0 ± 83.35 ng/ml) than in good CCV group (62.95 ± 58.83 ng/ml, P<0.001). Moreover, these CML levels were also significantly different across the Rentrop score 0, 1, 2 and 3 groups (P <0.001). In ROC curve for ascertaining poor CCV, AUCs were 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.77) for CML. In multivariable logistic regression, CML levels (P<0.001) remained independent determinants of poor CCV after adjustment of traditional risk factors. Conclusions: This study suggests that higher CML levels are associated to poor CCV in T2DM patients with CTO. Inhibition of AGEs including CML is a strategy in antagonizing poor CCV in diabetic patients.