• Researchers in Sastra University in Tamil Nadu have developed a sensor for measuring levels of a sugar-derived substance directly responsible for heart-related complications and vascular damage in diabetic population. 
• Methylglyoxal (MG) is a by-product of glucose metabolism and its levels are seen several-fold higher in people suffering from both Type 1 as well as Type 2 diabetes as compared to healthy humans.
• Over 20,000 times more reactive than glucose, this toxic substance is constantly removed in a healthy body.
• But this scavenging mechanism is impaired in diabetics and is believed to be associated with many complications such as atherosclerosis, vascular damage and kidney malfunction.
• MG reduces the amount of “good” HDL cholesterol, which removes the excess bad cholesterol from the body, and hence potentially dangerous.

Source: Downtoearth