Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is abundantly present in the brain, and accumulates in the synaptic vesicles. Synaptic Zn is released with neuronal excitation, and plays essential roles in learning and memory. Increasing evidence suggests that the disruption of Zn homeostasis is involved in various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, a vascular type of dementia, and prion diseases. Our and other numerous studies suggest that carnosine (β-alanyl histidine) is protective against these neurodegenerative diseases. Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide abundantly present in the skeletal muscles and in the brain, and has numerous beneficial effects such as antioxidant, metal chelating, anti-crosslinking, and anti-glycation activities. The complex of carnosine and Zn, termed polaprezinc, is widely used for Zn supplementation therapy and for the treatment of ulcers. Here, we review the link between Zn and these neurodegenerative diseases, and focus on the neuroprotective effects of carnosine. We also discuss the carnosine level in various foodstuffs and beneficial effects of dietary supplementation of carnosine.
Highlights
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element abundantly present after iron (Fe)
Because Zn is essential for olfaction and taste, Zn deficiency leads to learning, taste, and olfactory disorders in adults
It is possible that carnosine acts as an anti-crosslinker of neurotoxicity, we found that carnosine attenuates the neurotoxicity of PrP106–126 and inhibits
Summary
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element abundantly present after iron (Fe). It is a co-factor of more than 300 enzymes or metalloproteins, and plays a critical role in many functions including cell division, immune system, protein synthesis, and DNA synthesis [1,2]. Polaprezinc is used for protecting the mucosa against ulcerations and mammals, including humans It is abundantly present in skeletal muscles, but is alsoand observed for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis [16,17]. Its analogues (homocarnosine and anserine) (Figure 1) exist in many organisms such as birds, fish, Carnosine has various characteristics, as muscles, anti-glycation, and mammals, including advantageous humans. It is abundantly present insuch skeletal but is alsoanti-stress, observed and antioxidant properties, hydroxyl maintenance pH-balance, andcontain chelation of in the stomach, kidneys, cardiacradical muscle,scavenging, and brain.
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