Protection by rhamnose-rich polysaccharides against the cytotoxicity of Maillard reaction products

Previous experiments have shown that AGE-products added to human skin fibroblast cultures increased the number of dead cells floating on top of the culture fluid and took up vital dye [1]. In these experiments, we tested several rhamnose-rich polysaccharides for protection against the cytotoxic effect of AGE-s. Added at relatively low concentrations (between 10 and 100 μg/ml) to the culture medium, several of the tested rhamnose-rich oligo- and polysaccharides (RROP-s) gave a significant protection against AGE-induced cytotoxicity. Their effect on cell proliferation was also tested. The number of cells at saturation density was also shown to be influenced by AGE-products added to the cultures. This effect was also, at least partially, corrected by the rhamnose-rich oligo- and polysaccharides. These substances might therefore be considered as of potential therapeutical interest against hyperglycemia induced cytotoxic effects as in type II-diabetes.