Abstract:

Objective To investigate the expressions of advanced glycation end products （AGEs） and their receptors in keloid. Methods Serum and skin tissue specimens were collected from 20 patients with keloid, 20 patients with hyperplastic scar and 20 normal human controls. Fluorospectrophotometer was used to measure the serum level of AGEs, and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting to detect the expressions of AGEs and AGER in skin tissue specimens. Results The serum level of AGEs was （0.713 ± 0.098） AU/ml and （0.699 ± 0.077） AU/ml respectively in patients with keloid and those with hypertrophic scar, significantly higher than that in normal controls （0.179 ± 0.056 AU/ml, F = 283.82, P < 0.01）. A positive expression of AGEs and AGER was observed in tissue specimens of keloid and hyperplastic scar, but not in the control specimens. As Western blotting showed, the expressions of AGEs and AGER were higher in tissue specimens of keloid and hyperplastic scar than in the control specimens （F = 18.04, 42.80, both P < 0.05）, while no significant difference between keloid and hyperplastic scar tissue specimens was observed（P > 0.05）. Conclusion There is a high expression of AGEs and AGER in keloid, which may contribute to the development of keloid.

Key words: keloid, AGEs, AGER