NFKB1 and chronic kidney disease: Increased plasma MG levels have previously been associated with a reduction of the GFR in patients with chronic kidney disease.27, 28, 29 Dicarbonyl stress may impair kidney function in various ways including NF-kB activation and inflammation of glomerular mesangial cells via the AGE receptor RAGE30,31 but could also be the consequence of reduced renal clearance, potentially related to an assumed downregulation of the glyoxalase system in chronic kidney disease.32