Figure 1.

The synthesis of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) is a nonenzymatic reaction where in its classical form the reactive carbonyl group of a sugar reacts with the nucleophilic amino group of an amino acid (e.g. arginine=Arg) or a protein (R-NH₂). Adapted from Ahmed et al., Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2005, 49:691–699 and T. Henle, Amino Acids 2005, 29:313–322.