preview

Carnosine Research Paper

Decent Essays

Discovered by Russian biochemist Vladimir Sergeevich Gulevich, carnosine, also referred to as beta-alanyl-L-histidine, is a dipeptide, meaning it links two amino acids in this case beta-alanine and L-histidine (2). The molecule is composed of nitrogen, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. The IUPAC name is (2S)-2-[(3-Amino-1-oxopropyl)amino]-3-(3H-imidazol-4-yl) propanoic acid. Carnosine is found in trace quantities in almost all areas of the body and is found in high concentrations in the brain and skeletal muscle tissue. Humans and animals get carnosine in the diet by eating meat especially red meat. Carnosine and other molecules with similar structure, which must be obtained in the diet, have many anti-aging properties that are vastly important …show more content…

These anti-aging properties likely stem from carnosine’s role as an endogenous antioxidant trapping radical ions. During exercise or any increase in heart rate the body’s metabolism will derive a portion of energy from fatty acids for which a bi-product is “ROS”. Carnosine has the ability to use its anti oxidant properties to capture these free oxygen which prevent the oxygen from taking electrons from surrounding muscle or brain tissue (1). Another function of carnosine is evident in its ability to chelate of metal ions. Used in modern medicine in the form of chelation therapy, carnosine may be supplemented to detoxify the body from harmful or poisonous metals especially copper …show more content…

AGEs promote various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis or diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s and many other degenerative diseases by increasing the rate at which oxidative damage to cells occurs. Ingested carnosine’s antioxidant ability while beneficial is often short lived (up to several hours) due to its quick degradation. N-Acetylcarnosine, which contains an additional acetyl group to the carnosine molecule, is more resistant to the enzyme carnocinase that degrades carnosine into its composing amino acids, beta-alanine and L-histidine. Having N-Acetylcarnosine present in a supplement combined with carnosine would promote the longevity of the antioxidant effects because once the carnosine has been metabolized N-Acetylcarnosine will still be present. Once most or all of the carnosine has been metabolized the remaining N-Acetylcarnosine will then begin to degrade into carnosine which then degrades into the amino acids beta-alanine and L-histidine

Get Access