Carnosine

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Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide of the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine. It is highly concentrated in muscle and brain tissues.

Studies have shown that it can be used as an effective dietary supplement for people with autism, potentially improving such areas as auditory processing, speech & language skills, motor skills, and socialization. However, supplemental carnosine may increase corticosterone levels, which can explain the hyperactivity sometimes seen in high doses. Researchers in Australia, Britain, and Russia have also shown that carnosine has a number of antioxidant properties that may be beneficial.

Carnosine has been proven to scavenge ROS (radical oxygen species) as well as alpha-beta unsaturated aldehydes formed from peroxidation of cell membrane fatty acids during oxidative stress. It can oppose glycation and it can chelate divalent metal ions.

While a small number of studies have produced evidence of beneficial effects of N-acetyl carnosine in treating cataracts of the eyes, these and other opthamological benefits have not been proven. Britain's Royal College of Opthamologists assert that neither safety nor efficacy have been sufficiently demonstrated to recommend its use as a topical treatment for cataracts.

Typical vegetarian diets are thought to be lacking in carnosine, but whether this has a detrimental effect on vegetarians is controversial.

[edit] References

Chez MG, Buchanan CP, Aimonovitch MC, Becker M, Schaefer K, Black C, Komen J. (2002)

"Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of L-carnosine supplementation in children with autistic spectrum disorders" J Child Neurol. 2002 Nov;17(11):833-7.

Tomonaga S ; Tachibana T ; Takagi T ; Saito ES ; Zhang R ; Denbow DM ; Furuse M (2004)

"Effect of central administration of carnosine and its constituents on behaviors in chicks" Brain Res Bull. 2004; 63(1):75-82 (ISSN 0361-9230) (abstract)