Gender-related differences in carnosine, anserine and lysine content of murine skeletal muscle

Abstract

The aminoacyl-imidazole dipeptides carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and anserine (beta-alanyl-1-methyl-histidine) are present in relatively high concentrations in excitable tissues, such as muscle and nervous tissue. In the present study we describe the existence of a marked sexual dimorphism of carnosine and anserine in skeletal muscles of CD1 mice. In adult animals the concentrations of anserine were higher than those of carnosine in all skeletal muscles studied, and the content of aminoacyl-imidazole dipeptides was remarkably higher in males than in females. Postnatal ontogenic studies and hormonal manipulations indicated that carnosine synthesis was up-regulated by testosterone whereas anserine synthesis increased with age. Regional variations in the concentrations of the dipeptides were observed in both sexes, skeletal muscles from hind legs having higher amounts of carnosine and anserine than those present in fore legs or in the pectoral region. The concentration of L-lysine in skeletal muscles also showed regional variations and a sexual dimorphic pattern with females having higher levels than males in all muscles studied. The results suggest that these differences may be related with the anabolic action of androgens on skeletal muscle.

Metabolic Profiling Reveals Effects of Age, Sexual Development and Neutering in Plasma of Young Male Cats

“…These data are consistent with upregulation of anserine synthesis for a sexual development-related requirement, with concomitant depleted pools of histidine and carnosine and, following neutering, with loss of sexual development-related anserine synthesis, resulting in carnosine and histidine being regulated to levels observed in EN males. These data are consistent with evidence of testosterone influencing muscle carnosine in mice [45, 46] and decreased muscle carnosine in adulthood, including shortly after puberty in humans [45]. As both carnosine and anserine have anti-oxidant properties [47], it is possible that the dipeptide differences seen in sexually maturing cats relate to a requirement for alternative anti-oxidants to compensate for the supply of glutathione for felinine production and secretion.…”

Common variants in CNDP1 and CNDP2, and risk of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes

“…It is not surprising to find sex-specific differences for associations with the CNDP genes, as women have lower carnosine levels in muscle than men due to their higher serum carnosinase levels [30]. Also, in female mice, carnosine levels increased >250% in muscle after testosterone administration [31].…”

Muscle Carnosine Metabolism and β-Alanine Supplementation in Relation to Exercise and Training

“…This could partly be caused by a higher proportion of fast-twitch fibers in male muscles [63], although there is no consensus regarding the latter [64]. Sexual dimorphism with respect to muscle carnosine and HCD content is species dependent, as it appears more pronounced in rodents [65], but is absent in the horse [66].…”

“…More likely, androgens have a stimulating effect on muscle carnosine synthesis. Indeed, experiments in mice show that males have a 3-4 fold higher carnosine content than females and that in both genders the carnosine content is reduced by ~40% following gonadectomy [65]. Interestingly, the female muscle carnosine content can be elevated up to the level of males by exogenous testosterone administration.…”

“…If indeed androgens play an important role in muscle carnosine content, then it could be expected that a substantial elevation takes place in the maturation from boy to man. Data on humans are lacking, yet male but not female rodents show a doubling of muscle carnosine content during puberty [65].…”