The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (-alanyl-L-histidine) has beneficial effects in
different diseases. It is also frequently used as a food supplement to improve exercise performance
and because of its anti-aging effects. Nevertheless, after oral ingestion, the dipeptide is not detectable
in human serum because of rapid degradation by serum carnosinase. At the same time, intact
carnosine is excreted in urine up to five hours after intake. Therefore, an unknown compartment
protecting the dipeptide from degradation has long been hypothesized. Considering that erythrocytes
may constitute this compartment, we investigated the uptake and intracellular amounts of carnosine
in human erythrocytes cultivated in the presence of the dipeptide and human serum using liquid
chromatography–mass spectrometry. In addition, we studied carnosine’s effect on ATP production
in red blood cells and on their response to oxidative stress. Our experiments revealed uptake of
carnosine into erythrocytes and protection from carnosinase degradation. In addition, no negative
effect on ATP production or defense against oxidative stress was observed. In conclusion, our results
for the first time demonstrate that erythrocytes can take up carnosine, and, most importantly, thereby
prevent its degradation by human serum carnosinase.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:89130 |
| Date | 18 January 2024 |
| Creators | Oppermann, Henry, Elsel, Stefanie, Birkemeyer, Claudia, Meixensberger, Jürgen, Gaunitz, Frank |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 12802 |
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