Carnosine inhibits in vitro low-density lipoprotein oxidation

The dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanylhistidine) is found in many mammalian tissues, including skeletal muscle, and may be present in the walls of smooth muscle-rich arteries. Carnosine was shown to be an effective antioxidant against numerous types of oxygen free radicals. Therefore, it was of interest to study carnosine's ability to inhibit oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein. At doses considered physiologic, carnosine effectively prolonged the lag time and reduced the maximum rate of LDL oxidation when catalyze by either copper or peroxyl radicals. Therefore, carnosine may be an important component of the antioxidant complement of arterial walls, and as such may reduce the rate of lipoprotein oxidation and arterial plaque formation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.