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Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., 4 May 2005
Vol. 2005, Issue 18, p. pe12
[DOI: 10.1126/sageke.2005.18.pe12]

PERSPECTIVES

Carnosine: A Versatile Antioxidant and Antiglycating Agent

V. Prakash Reddy, Matthew R. Garrett, George Perry, and Mark A. Smith

The authors are in the Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO 65409, USA (V.P.R.), and the Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA (M.R.G., G.P., and M.A.S.). E-mail: preddy{at}umr.edu (V.P.R.); mark.smith{at}case.edu (M.A.S.)

http://sageke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2005/18/pe12

Key Words: advanced glycation end products • Alzheimer's disease • antioxidant • carnosine • DNA damage • oxidative stress

Abstract: Carnosine ({beta}-alanyl-L-histidine) has recently attracted much attention as a naturally occurring antioxidant and transition-metal ion sequestering agent. It has also been shown to act as an anti-glycating agent, inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Through its distinctive combination of antioxidant and antiglycating properties, carnosine is able to attenuate cellular oxidative stress and can inhibit the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. By controlling oxidative stress, suppressing glycation, and chelating metal ions, carnosine is able to reduce harmful sequelae such as DNA damage. AGEs are known contributors to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, and carnosine therefore merits serious attention as a possible therapeutic agent.

Citation: V. P. Reddy, M. R. Garrett, G. Perry, M. A. Smith, Carnosine: A Versatile Antioxidant and Antiglycating Agent. Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ. 2005 (18), pe12 (2005).

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Science of Aging Knowledge Environment. ISSN 1539-6150