http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=1960



Endothelial Dysfunction

The results showed that the HAGE meal produced substantial endothelial dysfunction lasting for as much as 6 hours. The researchers suggested that this was due to a combination of two mechanisms: (1) a decrease in the rate of synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), a free radical that serves as the principal mediator of blood-pressure regulation; and (2) an increase in the scavenging of NO by entities such as AGEs, dicarbonyls, and reactive oxygen species.

At both the macrovascular (large-vessel) and microvascular (small-vessel) levels, benfotiamine reversed the observed endothelial dysfunction completely. The researchers attributed this to a reduction in the endogenous production of AGEs and dicarbonyls as well as to a reduction in oxidative stress. They based their conclusion in part on measurements of the levels of various compounds in the blood that serve as indicators of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Benfotiamine Shows Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The researchers also observed that benfotiamine prevented a postprandial increase in circulating levels of methylglyoxal (MG) and carboxymethyllysine (CML), a commonly seen AGE. Finally, they observed that the HAGE meal induced a small rise in the subjects’ blood levels of CRP (C-reactive protein), a marker of systemic inflammation, and that benfotiamine prevented this effect. This finding jibes with previous reports suggesting that benfotiamine has both direct and indirect anti-inflammatory effects.