N(6)-Carboxymethyllysine (CML), also known as Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, is an advanced glycation endproduct (AGE). CML has been the most used marker for AGEs in food analysis. Recently, it has been demonstrated that gut microbiota mediates an aging-associated decline in gut barrier function, allowing AGEs to leak into the bloodstream from the gut and impairing microglial function in the brain. It is suggested that the amount of CML in human blood samples may correlate with age. A humanized monoclonal antibody which binds to N6 – carboxymethyl lysine shows considerable promise as a possible therapeutic agent for treating pancreatic cancer.
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