Diabetes Metab J.  2012 Apr;36(2):98-107. 10.4093/dmj.2012.36.2.98.

The Roles of Glycated Albumin as Intermediate Glycation Index and Pathogenic Protein

• Kim KJ
• Lee BW

• KMID: 2281411
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2012.36.2.98

Abstract

The conventional glycemic indices used in management of diabetic patients includes A1c, fructosamine, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, and glycated albumin (GA). Among these indices, A1c is currently used as the gold standard. However, A1c cannot reflect the glycemic change over a relatively short period of time, and its accuracy is known to decrease when abnormalities in hemoglobin metabolism, such as anemia, coexist. When considering these weaknesses, there have been needs for finding a novel glycemic index for diagnosing and managing diabetes, as well as for predicting diabetic complications properly. Recently, several studies have suggested the potential of GA as an intermediate-term glycation index in covering the short-term effect of treatment. Furthermore, its role as a pathogenic protein affecting the worsening of diabetes and occurrence of diabetic complications is receiving attention as well. Therefore, in this article, we wanted to review the recent status of GA as a glycemic index and as a pathogenic protein.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Glycated albumin; Glycemic index; Hemoglobin A1c

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Deoxyglucose
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus
Fructosamine
Glycemic Index
Hemoglobins
Humans
Serum Albumin
Deoxyglucose
Fructosamine
Hemoglobins
Serum Albumin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Structure of albumin.

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  Fig. 2 Glycation process of albumin.

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