Carnosine

What is it?

Carnosine is a small molecule composed of the amino acids, histidine and alanine. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues—most notably in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and brain.1 2

The exact biological role of carnosine is not completely understood, but numerous animal studies have demonstrated that it possesses strong and specific antioxidant properties, protects against radiation damage, improves the function of the heart, and promotes wound healing.3 4 5 6 7 8 Carnosine has been suggested to be the water-soluble counterpart to vitamin E in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Other suggested roles for carnosine include actions as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system), modulator of enzyme activities, and chelator of heavy metals (i.e., a substance that binds heavy metals, possibly reducing their toxicity).

Based primarily on preliminary research from Russia, carnosine has been claimed to lower blood pressure, improve the functioning of the immune system, promote wound healing, and exert anticancer effects. However, additional research is needed before these claims can be considered scientifically well documented.

The best-documented application of carnosine is in peptic ulcers. Experimental animal studies have shown that a zinc salt of carnosine exerts significant protection against ulcer formation and promotes the healing of existing ulcers.9 10 However, because zinc by itself has been shown to be helpful against peptic ulcer, it is not known how much of the beneficial effect was due to the carnosine.11 12 Clinical studies in humans demonstrated that this compound can help eradicate Helicobacter pylori, an organism that has been linked to peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.13 When 60 patients suffering from dyspepsia with H. pylori infection were given either antibiotics alone (lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin) or antibiotics plus zinc carnosine for seven days, better results were seen in the group receiving zinc carnosine (94% eradication rate vs. 77%). The zinc salt of carnosine (in combination with sodium alginate) has also shown to be effective in severe gingivitis caused by cancer chemotherapy.14

In a preliminary trial, supplementation with a zinc salt of carnosine enhanced the response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.15 It is not known whether this benefit was due primarily to the zinc or the carnosine, or whether other forms of carnosine would have the same effect.

Where is it found?

Dietary sources of preformed carnosine include meat and poultry and fish.

Carnosine has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating Health Concerns
2Stars

Hepatitis C (zinc-L-carnosine)
1Star

Peptic ulcers

Wound healing
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient?

Carnosine deficiency may occur in severe protein deficiency and in certain severe genetic disorders characterised by inborn errors in amino acid metabolism.

How much is usually taken?

For eradication of H. pylori, the amount of the zinc carnosine complex used in research studies was 150 mg twice daily. Due to the lack of human clinical trials, recommended levels for other applications are not known at this time.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

Due to the lack of human studies, side effects and interactions are not known.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with carnosine.

References

1. Quinn PJ, Boldyrev AA, Formazuyk VE. Carnosine: its properties, functions and potential therapeutic applications. Mol Aspects Med 1992;13:379-444.

2. Bonfanti L, Peretto P, De Marchis S, Fasolo A. Carnosine-related dipeptides in the mammalian brain. Prog Neurobiol 1999;59:333-53.

3. Klebanov GI, Teselkin YO, Babenkova IV. Effect of carnosine and its components on free-radical reactions. Membr Cell Biol 1998;12:89-99.

4. Hipkiss AR, Preston JE, Himsworth DT. Pluripotent protective effects of carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide. Ann NY Acad Sci 1998;854:37-53.

5. Hipkiss AR. Carnosine, a protective, anti-ageing peptide? Int J Biochem Cell Biol 1998;30:863-8.

6. Kudriashov IB, Deev LI, Goncharenko EN, et al. [Radioprotective properties of carnosine] Radiats Biol Radioecol 1999;39:268-71 [in Russian].

7. Lee JW, Miyawaki H, Bobst EV, et al. Improved functional recovery of ischemic rat hearts due to singlet oxygen scavengers histidine and carnosine. J Mol Cell Cardiol 1999;31:113-21.

8. Roberts PR, Black KW, Santamauro JT, Zaloga GP. Dietary peptides improve wound healing following surgery. Nutrition 1998;14;266-9.

9. Nishiwaki H, Kato S, Sugamoto S, et al. Ulcerogenic and healing impairing actions of monochloramine in rat stomachs: effects of zinc L-carnosine, polaprezinc. J Physiol Pharmacol 1999;50:183-95.

10. Arakawa T, Satoh H, Nakamura A, et al. Effects of zinc L-carnosine on gastric mucosal and cell damage caused by ethanol in rats. Correlation with endogenous prostaglandin E2. Dig Dis Sci 1990;35:559-66.

11. Cho CH, Ogle CW. A correlative study of the antiulcer effects of zinc sulphate in stressed rats. Eur J Pharmacol 1978;48:97-105.

12. Frommer DJ. The healing of gastric ulcers by zinc sulphate. Med J Aust 1975;2:793-6.

13. Kashimura H, Suzuki K, Hassan M, et al. Polaprezinc, a mucosal protective agent, in combination with lansoprazole, amoxycillin and clarithromycin increases the cure rate of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1999;13:483-7.

14. Katayama S, Ohshita J, Sugaya K. New medicinal treatment for severe gingivostomatitis. Int J Mol Med 1998;2:675-9.

15. Takagi H, Nagamine T, Abe T, et al. Zinc supplementation enhances the response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat 2001;8:367-71.