Could carnosine suppress zinc-mediated proteasome inhibition and neurodegeneration? Therapeutic potential of a non-toxic but non-patentable dipeptide

Abstract Ageing and neurodegenerative conditions are often associated with proteasome dysfunction, possibly mediated by zinc and/or copper ions. Studies have shown that (i) the olfactory lobe is normally enriched in carnosine and zinc, (ii) carnosine can suppress copper and zinc toxicity in olfactory neurones, (iii) olfactory dysfunction is often associated with neurodegenerative conditions and (iv) elevated levels of zinc are found in brains of Alzheimer’s patients. It is suggested that nasal administration of carnosine should be explored as a possible way of suppressing zinc/copper-mediated proteasome inhibition and consequent neurodegeneration.

Alan R. Hipkiss

2004

http://www.springerlink.com/content/...p/fulltext.pdf



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Carnosine fights brain disease
By Ben Wasserman
Sep 22, 2008


Monday Sep 22, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Chinese scientists reviewed studies and said carnosine or beta-alanyl-L-histidine found in animal tissue such as brain and skeletal muscle tissue can help fight many disease of central nervous system including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cerebral ischemic diseases.



The authors said carnosine is a potent hydrophilic antioxidant, anti-glycating agent and reactive oxygen species scavenger and pH-buffer.



The review titled Carnosine and diseases of central nervous system was conducted by Shen Y, Hu WW, and Chen Z. at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China and published in March 2007 issue of Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban.