Carnosine Treatment Diminished Oxidative Stress and Glycation Products in Serum and Tissues of D-Galactose-Treated Rats.

BACKGROUND: Chronic administration of D-galactose (GAL) induces changes that resemble natural aging in rodents. Oxidative stress and Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) formation play a role in GAL-induced aging. Carnosine (CAR; β-alanyl-L-histidine) has antioxidant and anti-glycating actions and may be a potential therapeutic agent in aging due to these properties. The effect of CAR supplementation on AGE levels and oxidative stress parameters was investigated in serum, liver and brain tissues in GAL-treated rats.

METHODS: GAL (300 mg/kg; s.c.; 5 days per week) alone or together with CAR (250 mg/kg/daily; i.p.; 5 days per week) was applied to male rats for two months. AGE, Advanced Oxidized Protein Products (AOPP), Protein Carbonyl (PC) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels together with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) formation and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) values were determined.

RESULTS: GAL treatment elevated AGE levels, ROS formation and protein and lipid oxidation products in serum and examined tissues. CAR treatment was observed to decrease significantly glycooxidative stress in serum, liver and brain tissues of GAL-treated rats.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that CAR may be useful for decreasing oxidative stress and glycation products in GAL-induced aging model in rats.