[Medical aspects of methylglyoxal metabolism].

Methylglyoxal is produced under both normal and pathological conditions and it is mainly eliminated by glyoxalases. This article gives an overview on the chemical properties, metabolism of methylglyoxal, and its role in acetone metabolism. Possible pathological role of that in diabetes mellitus and thiamine-deficiency is also discussed. Although the majority of data comes from animal experiments and relatively little is known of its human importance this review gives a new aspect to the understanding of its pathological role. With respect to the high incidence of diabetes mellitus the clinical investigation of alpha-oxoaldehydes is perspectivical.