Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed by a nonenzymatic reaction of sugar moieties (eg, glucose, fructose, glycolytic adducts) with the free amino groups on amino acid residues of proteins. A growing body of data demonstrate that AGEs are intimately involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease by stimulating inflammation, contributing to atheroma formation, and modulating vascular stiffness. The role of AGEs as potential biomarkers for disease presence and prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus remains an active area of study. Epidemiologic and angiographic studies suggest that AGE levels may be related to the presence and extent of atherosclerosis, and may predict future outcomes in select populations. The present review summarizes the relevant evidence supporting the role of advanced glycation in promoting atherosclerosis and the epidemiologic studies demonstrating an association between AGEs and diabetic cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE Nontraumatic major lower extremity amputations (LEAs) have been reported to be declining nationally; however, trends in Texas have been less well described. We evaluated demographic and clinical risk factors and revascularization associations for LEAs by using inpatient hospital discharge data in Texas from 2005 to 2014. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Inpatient hospital discharge data were obtained from the Texas Center for Health Statistics. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate clinical, ethnic, and socioeconomic risk factors associated with LEA. The impact of revascularization (surgical and/or endovascular) on LEA was analyzed. RESULTS Between 2005 and 2014, of 19,939,716 admissions, 46,627 were for nontraumatic major LEAs. Over time, LEAs were constant, and revascularization rates during index admission declined. The majority of LEAs occurred in males and in individuals aged 60–79 years. Risk factors associated with LEA included diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease, and male sex (P < 0.001). Insurance status, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and stroke/transient ischemic attack were associated with lower odds of amputation (P < 0.001). Hispanic (odds ratio [OR] 1.51 [95% CI 1.48, 1.55], P < 0.001) and black (OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.92, 2.02], P < 0.001) ethnicities were associated with a higher risk for amputation when compared with non-Hispanic whites. Revascularization, either surgical or endovascular (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.5, 0.54], P < 0.001), was also associated with lower odds for amputation. CONCLUSIONS Amputation rates in Texas have remained constant, whereas revascularization rates are declining. A higher risk for LEA was seen in minorities, including Hispanic ethnicity, which is the fastest growing demographic in Texas. Revascularization and having insurance were associated with lower odds for amputation.