Gene knockout of glyoxalase 1 (Glo-1), the enzyme that protects against glycation by methylglyoxal, is embryonically lethal and increased methylglyoxal concentration, or dicarbonyl stress, imposed by Glo-1 deficiency accelerates the ageing process and exacerbates diseases – including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal failure and neurological disorders [43]. Here, GLO1 is linked to kidney failure.