Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications and
in the natural process of biological aging. In fact, maintained hyperglycaemia favours the formation of AGEs at the tissue
level in diabetic patients, which may influence the triggering of different chronic pathologies of diabetes such as retinopathy,
nephropathy, neuropathy and macro- and micro-vascular diseases. Moreover, the literature has also demonstrated the involvement
of AGEs in biological aging, which may explain the accelerated process of aging in diabetic patients. The practice of regular
physical activity appears to positively influence glycaemic control, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This
occurs through the diminution of fasting glycaemia, with a consequent reduction of glycation of plasmatic components suggested
by the normalisation of HbA1c plasmatic levels. This exercise-induced positive effect is evident in the blood of diabetic
patients and may also reach the endothelium and connective tissues of different organs, such as the kidneys and eyes, and
systems, such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, with a local reduction of AGEs production and further deceleration
of organ dysfunction. The aim of this paper was to review the literature concerning this topic to coherently describe the
harmful effects of AGEs in organ dysfunction induced by diabetes in advanced age as well as the mechanisms behind the apparent
protection given by the practice of regular physical activity.
Keywords Exercise - Type 2 diabetes mellitus - AGEs - Aging