Thermally processed food contains advanced glycation end
products (AGEs) including Nε
-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML).
Higher AGEs or circulating CML were shown to be associated with
pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational
diabetes. It is unclear whether this association is causal. The aim
of our study was to analyze the effects of dietary CML and
CML-containing thermally processed food on metabolism in
pregnant rats. Animals were fed with standard or with AGE-rich
diet from gestation day 1. Third group received standard diet and
CML via gavage. On gestation day 18, blood pressure was
measured, urine and blood were collected and the oral glucose
tolerance test was performed. Plasma AGEs were slightly higher
in pregnant rats fed with the AGE-rich diet (p=0.09).
A non-significant trend towards higher CML in plasma was found
in the CML group (p=0.06). No significant differences between
groups were revealed in glucose metabolism or markers of renal
functions like proteinuria and creatinine clearance. In conclusion,
this study does not support the hypothesis that dietary AGEs
such as CML might induce harmful metabolic changes or
contribute to the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications. The
short duration of the rodent gestation warrants further studies
analyzing long-term effects of AGEs/CML in preconception
nutrition.