The biological role of carnosine and its possible applications in medicine
Budzeń S, Rymaszewska J
Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine
Summary
Comprehensive review of carnosine's biological roles including antioxidant, protective, chelating, and anti-glycation activities. Found carnosine naturally concentrated in skeletal muscles, CNS, and olfactory neurons. Identified therapeutic potential in diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and athletic performance.
Key Findings
- Carnosine has antioxidant, chelating, anti-glycation, and pH-buffering properties
- Naturally concentrated in skeletal muscles and central nervous system
- Therapeutic potential demonstrated in diabetes, neurodegeneration, and exercise performance
Related Studies
View all →The protective role of carnosine against type 2 diabetes-induced cognitive impairment
Wang Q, Tripodi N, Valiukas Z, et al.
Food Science & Nutrition
Reviewed carnosine's neuroprotective role in type 2 diabetes-induced cognitive decline. Carnosine's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation properties may slow neurodegenerative processes accelerated by diabetes. Proposed as an accessible, inexpensive therapeutic candidate for diabetic cognitive impairment.
- Carnosine addresses multiple pathological pathways linking T2DM to cognitive decline
- Anti-glycation properties particularly relevant given advanced glycation end-products in diabetes
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4193
Zinc, carnosine, and neurodegenerative diseases
Kawahara M, Tanaka KI, Kato-Negishi M
Nutrients
Reviewed evidence linking zinc homeostasis disruption to Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and prion diseases, and carnosine's protective role through antioxidant, metal chelating, anti-crosslinking, and anti-glycation activities. The zinc-carnosine complex (polaprezinc) is already clinically used for zinc supplementation.
- Carnosine protects against neurodegenerative diseases through multiple mechanisms including metal chelation
- Zinc-carnosine complex (polaprezinc) is clinically established for zinc supplementation and ulcer treatment
DOI: 10.3390/nu10020147