Influence of l-carnosine on pro-antioxidant status in elite kayakers and canoeists

Abstract

Carnosine is a dipeptide formed from the amino acids β-alanine and histidine and found in large amounts in the brain and muscle, especially fast twitch muscle. Carnosine has an antioxidant role and accounts for about 10% of the muscle's ability to buffer the H+ ions produced by high intensity exercise. Due to the interesting role of carnosine, the aim of the study was observe the effects of carnosine intake on pro-antioxidant status in highly trained athletes exposed to intense exercise.Fourteen male athletes from the Polish national kayak and canoe teams participated in placebo-controlled and cross-over study. The athletes were supplemented with 4 g/d carnosine for 14 days. Blood samples were collected before and 30 min, 24 h and 48 h after 2000 m exercise trial. In blood, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), markers of RO/NS activity 8-isoprostanes and 3-nitrotyrosine, total (GSHt) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG), antioxidant status (APO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. There were not observed statistically significant differences in exercise-induced changes in H2O2 and NO concentrations and SOD activity after carnosine intake. However, carnosine prevented an increase in 8-isoprostanes, 3-nitrotyrosine and GSSG concentrations as well as elevated redox status (GSHt-2GSSG)/GSSG at post-exercise period.Although, oral supplementation with 4 g carnosine did not affect RO/NS generation, it significantly attenuated exercise-induced glutathione loss, reduced oxidation/nitration markers concentration and SOD activity. These results suggest that carnosine could provide antioxidative protection for highly trained athletes.

Effects of carnosine supplementation on glucose metabolism: Pilot clinical trial

“…Carnosine (b-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide present in mammalian tissues and is available as an over-the-counter food additive. In humans, beneficial effects of carnosine have been shown in clinical trials in exercise physiology, psychology, psychiatry, and recently in heart failure (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Importantly, carnosine supplementation has not been associated with any significant side effects (3)(4)(5)7,8).…”

“…In humans, beneficial effects of carnosine have been shown in clinical trials in exercise physiology, psychology, psychiatry, and recently in heart failure (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Importantly, carnosine supplementation has not been associated with any significant side effects (3)(4)(5)7,8). Ample animal evidence has suggested a role for carnosine supplementation in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications as well as cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension) and disease (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

The Antioxidant Effect of Beta-Alanine or Carnosine Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…For instance, both recreationally activity men [13] and women [12] who received BA supplementation had reduced LP after an acute bout of physical exercise (wen compared to pre-supplementation, but not to placebo condition). Although, in other studies with male athletes, carnosine [18] and BA [14] supplementation did not change/mitigate the increase in LP values after an acute bout of PE, despite increasing the GSH (Glutathione) antioxidant potential when compared to pre-treatment condition. Such studies from the same laboratory showed that improvement in antioxidant system seemed to occur only in women when compared to the presupplementation condition [12,13], instead other laboratories shown improvement in men [14,18].…”

“…Although, in other studies with male athletes, carnosine [18] and BA [14] supplementation did not change/mitigate the increase in LP values after an acute bout of PE, despite increasing the GSH (Glutathione) antioxidant potential when compared to pre-treatment condition. Such studies from the same laboratory showed that improvement in antioxidant system seemed to occur only in women when compared to the presupplementation condition [12,13], instead other laboratories shown improvement in men [14,18]. Therefore, it is necessary to systematize and meta-analyze studies with humans to evaluate the effectiveness of BA or carnosine supplementation as an antioxidant during PE-induced OS.…”

“…116 articles were removed (both duplicates and articles that met the exclusion criteria). We examined the full text of the remaining 12 articles and only four articles [12][13][14]18] were included in the review (Fig 1).…”