Histidine and carnosine delay diabetic deterioration in mice and protect human low density lipoprotein against oxidation and glycation

• Published in: European journal of pharmacology Vol. 513; no. 1; pp. 145 - 150
• Main Authors: Lee, Yuan-ti, Hsu, Cheng-chin, Lin, Meng-hsiao, Liu, Keh-sen, Yin, Mei-chin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 18.04.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Carnosine; Carnosine - blood; Carnosine - pharmacokinetics; Carnosine - pharmacology; Catalase - metabolism; Cholesterol - metabolism; Cytokine; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - prevention & control; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibronectins - blood; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; Glycosylation; Histidine; Histidine - blood; Histidine - pharmacokinetics; Histidine - pharmacology; Humans; Hyperlipidemia; Insulin - blood; Interleukin-6 - blood; Kidney - drug effects; Kidney - metabolism; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipoproteins, LDL - blood; Lipoproteins, LDL - metabolism; Liver - drug effects; Liver - metabolism; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Myocardium - metabolism; Oxidation-Reduction; Triglycerides - metabolism; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism; Carnosine; Histidine; Diabetes; Hyperlipidemia; Cytokine
• ISSN: 0014-2999; 1879-0712
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.02.010

In vivo effects of histidine and carnosine against diabetic deterioration in diabetic Balb/cA mice were studied. Histidine and carnosine at 0.5, 1 g/l were added into drinking water. After 4 weeks intake of these agents, the content of histidine and carnosine in plasma, heart and liver significantly elevated ( P<0.05). The intake of these agents significantly decreased plasma glucose and fibronectin levels ( P<0.05); however, only 1 g/l histidine and carnosine treatments significantly increased insulin level ( P<0.05) in diabetic mice. Triglyceride level in heart and liver was dose-dependently reduced by histidine or carnosine treatments ( P<0.05); however, only 1 g/l histidine and carnosine treatments significantly reduced cholesterol level in heart and liver ( P<0.05). The administration of histidine or carnosine significantly enhanced catalase activity and decreased lipid oxidation levels in kidney and liver ( P<0.05); however, only 1 g/l histidine and carnosine treatments significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity ( P<0.05). The increased interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in diabetic mice were significantly suppressed by the intake of histidine or carnosine ( P<0.05). In human low density lipoprotein, histidine or carnosine showed dose-dependently suppressive effect in glucose-induced oxidation and glycation ( P<0.05). These data suggest that histidine and carnosine are potential multiple-protective agents for diabetic complications prevention or therapy.