The incredible rejuvenating power of a tiny dipeptide
It is interesting that there was a rumored that Boris Yeltsin had taken for a long time ”Russian-super-vitamin” – L-Carnosine, and therefore looked 10 years younger.
Rejuvenating cells in the ageing process and making them fully functional and healthy
Before the results of research on L-Carnosine, it was assumed that the old cells cannot be rejuvenated. Recent studies have shown that L-Carnosine increases the time between cell divisions, and at the same time increases the number of divisions. This means that the life of the cell is significantly extended, and the dependence is direct – more L-Carnosine, the longer time period between the divisions and a greater number of divisions.
Preserving and prolonging the vitality of DNA cells and lipids
Numerous studies show that L-Carnosine has great potential in the fight against aging because of its extraordinary ability to protect and extend the functional viability of key units that build the organism, such as cells, DNA, and lipids. L-Carnosine may rightly be called longevity substance. Given that this substance is absolutely safe, it is found naturally in the organism and food, and it was confirmed that prolongs the life of animals and cultures of human cell, it is considered a fundamental substance for prolonging life. Its antioxidant, protective, chelating and anti-glycation activities contribute to the normal cell functioning.
Delay the aging process by harnessing the power of antioxidants and chelating agents
The characteristic of L-Carnosine to slow down the aging process is not only a consequence of its antioxidant action. Another mechanism by which L-Carnosine protects cells from oxidative stress is the ability to build the chelating agent, which was explained by the team of Professor Bruce N. Ames from Berkeley University in Los Angeles. Chelate formations with heavy metals – such as cadmium, copper, iron, mercury – prevent the participation of these metals in harmful reactions with peroxides.
Looking and feeling younger
The latest studies show that patients who take carnosine for a certain time (6 to 12 months), look younger than before use. This supports the results of laboratory research and other experiments, which show that L-Carnosine can rejuvenate cell culture as well as to suppress the visible signs of aging of living organisms (laboratory animals). During these examinations, L-Carnosine significantly delayed the development of skin wrinkles in the eye area, the curvature of the spine, typical manifestations of aging. Moreover, not only the mice who received L-Carnosine looked younger compared to those in the control group (non- carnosine), but they were also reaching a 20% longer lifetime.
Stronger life-sustaining effects of carnosine
It is possible to explain anti-aging effects by comparing the action of the pure carnosine and products of L-Carnosine degradation in the bloodstream, which is provided by specific L-Carnosinase enzyme resulting in accumulation of histidine and β-alanine. In order to prove these differences, other living organisms were used in the following experiments where Drosophila melanogaster was used, which possess no L-Carnosine metabolizing enzymes. In these experiments similar and even stronger life-sustaining effects of L-Carnosine were demonstrated where L-Carnosinase was not present. This suggests that L-Carnosine itself (not the products of its enzymatic degradation) demonstrates apparent life-sustaining action. In conclusion, the use of a natural anti-oxidant and anti-glycating agent L-Carnosine can open the new strategy in modern geroprotection.
Modern geroprotection
Replication capabilities and the number of cell divisions are reducing as cells are aging. Shortening of DNA telomere happens in each division (telomere = marginal DNA complex with a protein that protects the edges of chromosomes). This shortening of the DNA after each division causes the formation of the so-called signal of the destruction of DNA (DNA-damage signal) and at a given moment is activated p53 (a tumor protein). Some types of chemotherapy induce premature aging like cancer, but also healthy cells.
In contrast, L-Carnosine has a strong ability to reverse the signs of aging of skin cells (fibroblasts) and to return their functionality, along with an extension of their lives. Such effects are typical effects of L-Carnosine and are used for the prevention of all forms of harmful changes in the protein molecules and phospholipids, also for a significant limitation of DNA telomere shortening in order to prevent damage to DNA. The limit of the number of cell divisions is called Hayflick limit. This is the maximum number of cell divisions that occur before its destruction. Hayflick limit refers to cell mortality. In fact, most of the cells are regenerated when each of the division splits into two daughter cells. When cells reach Hayflick limit, it comes to the aging of the cell. Cells that age are still alive, but are no longer able to perform division. Their structure and function are damaged. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24910283
L-Carnosine rejuvenates aging cells
Human fibroblasts are very suitable for cultivation and laboratory research. Elderly fibroblast culture cannot be replaced by younger ones, which are quite aligned and form groups of parallel fibers. In contrast, the old fibroblasts are granulated, of different sizes, not grouped and their fibers are irregular and of different sizes – they lose the ability to build the correct form. These important characteristics of the old cells are called adult phenotype (while the young cells represent juvenile phenotype). Under the guidance of a doctor McFarland, the Australian scientist, are conducting a remarkable series of experiments which demonstrated that carnosine rejuvenates aging cells. Especially interesting is the following – when the aging cells are placed in a culture enriched by L-Carnosine, they show not only phenotypic changes from the old to the young, but increase their ability to the division. They have once again proved their ability to organize, become aligned and build an organized group of fibers. When they return to a culture of non-carnosine, the signs of aging return quickly. When the same cells are placed again in a culture with carnosine, they show features of the juvenile phenotype again. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10197726
This was repeated with the same cells many times and always showed the same results. Moreover, carnosine significantly extended the life of old cells. Later, these experiments were confirmed by the British scientists led by Dr. Alan Hipkiss.
L-Carnosine delays the aging process by eliminating free radicals
In the culture of human fibroblasts and can change the adult phenotype in juvenile phenotype. Regardless of the positive qualities of antioxidants to eliminate free radicals, they have never shown the ability to prevent aging as L-Carnosine has. These are just combined, additional features of L-Carnosine in action on the aging process. In particular, it is noted that carnosine is capable to react with carbonyl groups and to form a “carnozinilation” polypeptides (adducts), which suppresses the aging process and reduces the formations of damaged proteins, which are typical for these processes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11707898
Revitalizing effect of L-Carnosine on fibroblasts also explains why is significantly improved wound healing after surgical intervention.
The aging cells also produce adhesion molecules that cause thickening of the walls of blood vessels and their stiffness (atherosclerosis). The aging cells produce other additional degradative enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which act in distant parts of the body (they are transported through the blood). In this way, a relatively small amount of aged cells cause large changes in the function and integrity of the skin. The aging cells accumulate in all organs and tissues where they suffer apoptosis (programmed cell death) and summon the degenerative processes of aging. Moreover, the distortion of the microscopic environment by accumulated aging cells can be the reason for the increased incidence of malignant disease in older people. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874395/