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Unveiling the Hidden Therapeutic Potential of Carnosine, a Molecule with a Multimodal Mechanism of Action: A Position Paper. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27103303. [PMID: 35630780 PMCID: PMC9143376 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally occurring endogenous dipeptide and an over-the-counter food supplement with a well-demonstrated multimodal mechanism of action that includes the detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the down-regulation of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, the inhibition of aberrant protein formation, and the modulation of cells in the peripheral (macrophages) and brain (microglia) immune systems. Since its discovery more than 100 years ago, a plethora of in vivo preclinical studies have been carried out; however, there is still substantial heterogeneity regarding the route of administration, the dosage, the duration of the treatment, and the animal model selected, underlining the urgent need for "coordinated/aligned" preclinical studies laying the foundations for well-defined future clinical trials. The main aim of the present position paper is to critically and concisely consider these key points and open a discussion on the possible "alignment" for future studies, with the goal of validating the full therapeutic potential of this intriguing molecule.
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Caruso G, Fresta CG, Grasso M, Santangelo R, Lazzarino G, Lunte SM, Caraci F. Inflammation as the Common Biological Link Between Depression and Cardiovascular Diseases: Can Carnosine Exert a Protective Role? Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:1782-1800. [PMID: 31296155 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190712091515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies have clearly shown the high co-morbidity between depression and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). Different studies have been conducted to identify the common pathophysiological events of these diseases such as the overactivation of the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis and, most importantly, the dysregulation of immune system which causes a chronic pro-inflammatory status. The biological link between depression, inflammation, and CVD can be related to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, released by macrophages which play a central role in the pathophysiology of both depression and CVD. Pro-inflammatory cytokines interfere with many of the pathophysiological mechanisms relevant to depression by upregulating the rate-limiting enzymes in the metabolic pathway of tryptophan and altering serotonin metabolism. These cytokines also increase the risk to develop CVD, because activation of macrophages under this pro-inflammatory status is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, a preamble to atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is an endogenous dipeptide which exerts a strong antiinflammatory activity on macrophages by suppressing reactive species and pro-inflammatory cytokines production and altering pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization. This dipeptide exhibits antioxidant properties scavenging reactive species and preventing oxidative stress-induced pathologies such as CVD. In the present review we will discuss the role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation as common pathophysiological events both in depression and CVD and the preclinical and clinical evidence on the protective effect of carnosine in both diseases as well as the therapeutic potential of this dipeptide in depressed patients with a high co-morbidity of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero, 73, Troina 94018, Italy
| | - Claudia G Fresta
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero, 73, Troina 94018, Italy.,Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Rosa Santangelo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Susan M Lunte
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, Kansas, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, Kansas, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, Kansas, United States
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero, 73, Troina 94018, Italy.,Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
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