HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Carnosine is Protective of the Kidneys

Study Abstract

The effects of L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) on the neural activity of the renal sympathetic nerve and on DOCA-salt hypertension in rats were examined. Intravenous injection of 1 microg L-carnosine inhibited renal sympathetic nerve activity in urethane-anesthetized animals, and a diet containing 0.0001% or 0.001% L-carnosine decreased blood pressure elevation in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Since L-carnosine is mainly synthesized in the skeletal muscles of mammals, it is not unreasonable to postulate that L-carnosine is an endogenous factor controlling the blood pressure in a manner possibly antagonistic to the obesity-associated hypertensive effect of leptin.

Study Information

Niijima A, Okui T, Matsumura Y, Yamano T, Tsuruoka N, Kiso Y, Nagai K.
Effects of L-carnosine on renal sympathetic nerve activity and DOCA-salt hypertension in rats.
Auton Neurosci.
2002 May
Niigata University School of Medicine, Asahimachidoori, Japan.