Free radical scavenging and radioprotective effects of carnosine and anserine

カルノシンとアンセリンのフリーラジカル捕捉効果と放射線防護効果

Fu, H.*; 勝村 庸介; Lin, M.; 室屋 裕佐*; 端 邦樹 ; 藤井 健太郎; 横谷 明徳; 籏野 嘉彦

Fu, H.*; Katsumura, Yosuke; Lin, M.; Muroya, Yusa*; Hata, Kuniki; Fujii, Kentaro; Yokoya, Akinari; Hatano, Yoshihiko

Two histidine-containing natural dipeptides, carnosine and anserine (-alanyl-1-methyl- L-histidine), have been examined for their antioxidant and radioprotective abilities. Pulse radiolysis studies indicated the antioxidative properties of carnosine and anserine aqueous solutions at different pHs. The rate constants for the reaction OH radical with carnosine at neutral pH were determined to 5.310 Ms at 300 nm, and 4.110 Ms at 400 nm, respectively. Carnosine and anserine also protected plasmid pUC18 DNA from X-ray radiation induced strand breaks as evidenced from the studies by agarose gel electrophoresis. Carnosine showed higher protective efficiency under the experimental conditions. Our data demonstrated that carnosine and anserine may play an important role in the maintenance of the antioxidant system.