Association between dietary intake of advanced glycation end products and prostate cancer aggressiveness

Cancer is a genetic disease that results from mutations in cell function, growth, and division. Epidemiological studies analyze the health and disease cause and effects of conditions in certain populations and are the basis for many etiological studies. Research has shown that diets of high caloric intake consisting of red meat and fatty foods promote the growth of carcinogens. This occurs due to increase insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and hyperglycemia. Advanced glycation end products AGEs are formed from the glycooxidation of macromolecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. AGEs act in reducing tissue flexibility when forming crosslinks with extracellular matrix proteins by binding with transmembrane, pattern recognizing receptors (RAGEs). Endogenously, AGEs are accumulated when the body undergoes metabolic oxidative stress. Aging also allows for the accumulation of AGEs in tissues. Exogenously, AGEs accumulate and are formed when food is cooked with dry heat and high temperatures. The intake of food and beverages as well as the practice of smoking introduces more AGEs to the body. In 2001 it was reported that incidence rates of prostate cancer were 50% higher and mortality rates were 150% higher for African American than Caucasian Americans. Possible factors that contributed to this may be racial differences in prostate cancer screening and care or seeking behaviors, which results in delayed diagnosis and less aggressive or appropriate treatment. Racial differences in etiology and pathology of patients may also influence the aggressiveness and progression of tumor cells.