HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Carnosine Reduces the Glycation of LDL Cholesterol

Study Abstract

Glycation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by reactive aldehydes, such as glycolaldehyde, can result in the cellular accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages. In this study, it is shown that carnosine, or its constituent amino acids beta-alanine and l-histidine, can inhibit the modification of LDL by glycolaldehyde when present at equimolar concentrations to the modifying agent. This protective effect was accompanied by inhibition of cholesterol and cholesteryl ester accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages incubated with the glycated LDL. Thus, carnosine and its constituent amino acids may have therapeutic potential in preventing diabetes-induced atherosclerosis.

Study Information

Rashid I, van Reyk DM, Davies MJ.
Carnosine and its constituents inhibit glycation of low-density lipoproteins that promotes foam cell formation in vitro.
FEBS Lett.
2007 March
Free Radical Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.