The effect of L-carnosine on the rheological characteristics of erythrocytes incubated in glucose media

  • Received : 2009.03.16
  • Accepted : 2009.04.01
  • Published : 2009.06.30

Abstract

Hemorheological properties are easily modified by glucose-induced oxidation and glycation. Carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide ($\beta$-alanyl-LFull-size image-histidine), has been recently proposed to act as an antioxidant as well as a free-radical scavenger. In the present study, we investigate its protective and rejuvenating effects in erythrocytes that are exposed to glucose-rich plasma. Erythrocytes that were incubated in glucose solutions were treated with different concentrations of carnosine and for different incubation times. Their hemorheological alterations were examined. The results reveal that the presence of carnosine effectively prevented these rheological alterations in a concentration-dependent manner in glucose-rich media. It is proposed that moderate concentrations of carnosine might be further explored as potential therapeutic agents for pathologies that involve hemorheological modification.

Keywords

References

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