Determination of glycated nucleobases in human urine by a new monoclonal antibody specific for N2-carboxyethyl-2'-deoxyguanosine.

Sugars and sugar degradation products react in vivo readily with proteins (glycation) resulting in the formation of a heterogeneous group of reaction products, which are called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs notably change the structure and function of proteins so that extended protein-AGE formation is linked to complications such as nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and cataract. DNA can be glycated in vitro in a similar way as proteins, and the two diastereomers of N(2)-carboxyethyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (CEdG(A,B)) were identified as major DNA AGEs.