Discover how L-Carnosine and its derivatives can be potential therapeutic agents for preventing and treating vascular complications
Abstract Summary:
- Vascular complications are among the most severe manifestations of diabetes.
- Atherosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, and retinopathy are significant concerns.
- Advanced Glycation (AGEs) and Lipoxidation (ALEs) end-products contribute to these complications.
- L-Carnosine acts as a quencher of the AGE/ALE precursors Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS), which are reactive aldehydes derived from oxidative and non-oxidative modifications of sugars and lipids.
- L-Carnosine has shown effectiveness in several disease models where glyco/lipoxidation plays a central pathogenic role.
- However, in humans, L-Carnosine is rapidly inactivated by serum carnosinase, leading to the exploration of carnosinase-resistant derivatives of L-Carnosine as potential agents against carbonyl stress-dependent disorders, especially diabetic vascular complications.
Other Noted Benefits:
- L-Carnosine can prevent both long-term glucose toxicity, resulting from insufficient glucose-lowering therapy, and lipotoxicity.
- This may help reduce the clinical and economic burden of vascular complications of diabetes and related metabolic disorders.