Effects of Carnosine Supplementation on Carnosine Concentrations in Muscles and Blood Biochemical Indices of Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of carnosine supplementation on carnosine concentration in muscles and blood biochemical indices of rats. Thirty-two eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into a control group (CON) as well as three carnosine-treated groups. The carnosine-treated groups included groups fed diets composed of 0.01% carnosine (LC), 0.1% carnosine (MC), and 1.0% carnosine (HC). Body weight gain, food intake, feed efficacy rate, protein efficacy rate, and organ weights were not significantly different among the groups. In all groups, the mean carnosine levels in gastrocnemius muscles were higher than the mean carnosine levels in soleus muscles. Carnosine concentrations in soleus muscles and gastrocnemius muscles were significantly higher in the HC group compared to all other groups (p<0.05). Serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in all of the carnosine-supplemented groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05), while HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase levels in rats supplemented with carnosine were significantly higher than those of the control group. In conclusion, diets supplemented with high levels of carnosine can increase carnosine concentrations in skeletal muscles, which might contribute to increased exercise capacity. Furthermore, these findings suggest that high levels of dietary carnosine improve the lipid profile of rats by lowering blood LDL-cholesterol and increasing HDL-cholesterol levels.

Effects of α-lipoic acid and L-carnosine supplementation on antioxidant activities and lipid profiles in rats

“…We investigated carnosine supplementation (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0%) on muscle carnosine concentrations and hematological indices of rats prior to the study. The 0.1% and 1.0% carnosine supplementation led to drop in blood LDL-cholesterol but an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels [ 26 ]. Groups receiving ALA or LC in this study were fed one of the following diets containing 0.5% ALA (ALA group), 0.25% ALA and 0.25% LC (ALA + LC group), or 0.5% LC (LC group).…”

Carnosine Avoids the Oxidative Damage Caused by Intense Exercise on Rat Soleus Muscle

“…25 In this regard, although β-alanine supplementation has been pointed out as the most efficient way to increase muscle carnosine, 16 studies have shown that carnosine supplementation also increased the concentration of this dipeptide in rat skeletal muscle. 26,27 Carnosine has been tested in various pathologies and physiological states related to free radical production, showing evidence of its prospective use as an antioxidant and tissue protector against various adverse factors that induce the development of oxidative stress. 28 In this particular study carnosine supplementation was more effective than β-alanine, and these results are consistent with several studies showing that ingestion of β-alanine alone had no antioxidant effect as observed for dipeptide.…”