Mind, Mood, Memory, Vision, .......and get this.....Autism..........

[Guest guest]

Carnosine supplement by Ray Sahelian, M.D. health benefit of carnosine supplementsWhat you will find on this page:Carnosine informationMind Power Rx with carnosine - formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D. for mind, memory and mood support. Eyesight Rx for healthy vision within hours or days.

Carnosine is a small molecule composed of the amino acids histidine and alanine. Carnosine is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues—most notably in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, nerve tissue and brain. The exact biological role of carnosine is not well understood, but many studies indicate that carnosine has antioxidant potential. Carnosine may also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system). Carnosine has been called a longevity nutrient since laboratory studies on tissues indicate that it can delay senescence and provoke cellular rejuvenation in cultured human fibroblasts. Carnosine has been called the anti-aging and anti-oxidant dipeptide. The exact role of carnosine supplementation in human health is not clear at this time but carnosine appears to be a promising nutrient with much potential.

L Carnosine, 500 mg, 30 Capsules - Pharmaceutical GradeClub NaturalL-Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of the covalently bonded amino acids alanine and histidine and is found in the brain, heart, skin, muscles, kidneys and stomach. L-Carnosine is naturally produced in the body by the enzyme carnosine synthetase.L-Carnosine supports healthy aging and cellular rejuvenation by its effects on two mechanisms: Glycosylation and Free Radical Damage. Glycosylation is the oxidation of proteins by glucose resulting in cross-linking of proteins and which is implicated in loss of cell function, genome integrity and accelerated aging. L Carnosine also protects the aging process of the brain by retarding lipid peroxidation and stabilizing cell membranes.

L Carnosine Supplement FactsL Carnosine (alanylhistidine) - 500 mg*Usage: Take half or 1 carnosine capsule before or with breakfast a few times a week, or as directed by your qualified health consultant.

Click here to learn more about Carnosine, Mind Power Rx, Eyesight Rx, or to sign up to a FREE newsletterSubscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month we email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including L carnosine, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. MIND POWER Rx with L Carnosine - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula with carnosine and a dozen brain herbs and nutrients. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support healthy:

Memory and MoodMental clarityConcentration Alertness & Focus Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination? The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, and Reishi. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, L Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine. Click the link above for Carnosine for more information

Carnosine Studies Show:Carnosine may be helpful in children with autism. The dose would be much less than in adults.Topical N-Acetyl-carnosine eyedrops shows potential for the treatment and prevention of cataracts. A study with rabbits indicates that carnosine reduces the cardiac toxicity from the use of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Another area of potential benefit for carnosine is diabetic nephropathy.

Carnosine Physiological roleFirst isolated in 1900, carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-hystidine) is a dipeptide commonly present in human and animal tissue, and in particular in skeletal muscle cells; it is responsible for a variety of activities related to the detoxification of the body from free radical species and the by-products of membrane lipids peroxidation. Carnosine also has membrane-protecting activity, proton buffering capacity, formation of complexes with transition metals, and regulation of macrophage function. It has been proposed that carnosine could act as a natural scavenger of dangerous reactive aldehydes from the degradative oxidative pathway of endogenous molecules such as sugars, polyunsaturated fatty acids and proteins. Carnosine is a potent and selective scavenger of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, typical by-products of membrane lipids peroxidation and considered second messengers of the oxidative stress, and inhibits aldehyde-induced protein-protein and DNA-protein cross-linking in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, in cardiovascular ischemic damage, and in inflammatory diseases.L Carnosine Research UpdateCarnosine as a protective factor in diabetic nephropathy: association with a leucine repeat of the carnosinase gene CNDP1.Diabetes. 2005 Aug;54(8):2320-7. The risk of diabetic nephropathy is partially genetically determined. DNA polymorphisms were determined in 135 case (diabetic nephropathy) and 107 control (diabetes without nephropathy) subjects. The effect of carnosine on the production of extracellular matrix components and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) after exposure to 5 and 25 mmol/l d-glucose was studied in cultured human podocytes and mesangial cells, respectively. Carnosine inhibited the increased production of fibronectin and collagen type VI in podocytes and the increased production of TGF-beta in mesangial cells induced by 25 mmol/l glucose. Diabetic patients with the CNDP1 Mannheim variant are less susceptible for nephropathy. Carnosine protects against the adverse effects of high glucose levels on renal cells.Glycation, ageing and carnosine: Are carnivorous diets beneficial?Mech Ageing Dev. 2005 Oct;126(10):1034-9. Glycation plays important roles in ageing and in diabetes and its secondary complications. It is suggested that carnivorous diets contain a potential anti-glycating agent, carnosine (beta-alanyl-histidine), whilst vegetarians may lack intake of the dipeptide.

Is carnosine a naturally occurring suppressor of oxidative damage in olfactory neurones?Rejuvenation Res. 2004 Winter;7(4):253-5. Ghanbari et al. recently showed that neurones from olfactory lobes of Alzheimer's patients exhibit oxidative stress and it is well known that olfactory dysfunction frequently accompanies neurodegeneration. The olfactory lobe is normally enriched in carnosine, a relatively non-toxic (and sometimes abundant) dipeptide which possesses functions (anti-oxidant, antiglycator, scavenger of zinc and copper ions, toxic aldehydes and protein carbonyls) that are likely to suppress oxidative stress. It is suggested that carnosine's therapeutic potential should be explored in olfactory tissue. Should the peptide prove beneficial, olfactory carnosine administration could provide a direct route to compromised tissue, avoiding serum carnosinases.Anti-crosslinking properties of carnosine: significance of histidine.Hobart LJ. University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, MO Life Sci. 2004 Jul 30;75(11):1379-89.Carnosine, a histidine-containing dipeptide, is a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that carnosine prevents oxidation and glycation, both of which contribute to the crosslinking of proteins; and protein crosslinking promotes beta-amyloid plaque formation. It was previously shown that carnosine has anti-crosslinking activity, but it is not known which of the chemical constituents are responsible. We tested the individual amino acids in carnosine (beta-alanine, histidine) as well as modified forms of histidine (alpha-acetyl-histidine, 1-methyl-histidine) and methylated carnosine. beta-Alanine showed anti-crosslinking activity but less than that of carnosine, suggesting that the beta-amino group is required in preventing protein crosslinking. Interestingly, histidine, which has both alpha-amino and imidazolium groups, was more effective than carnosine. Acetylation of histidine's alpha-amino group or methylation of its imidazolium group abolished anti-crosslinking activity. Furthermore, methylation of carnosine's imidazolium group decreased its anti-crosslinking activity. The results suggest that histidine is the representative structure for an anti-crosslinking agent, containing the necessary functional groups for optimal protection against crosslinking agents. We propose that the imidazolium group of histidine or carnosine may stabilize adducts formed at the primary amino group.Carnosine Helpful in Autism From the day she was born, Betty seemed different from other infants. At an age when most infants enjoy interacting with people and exploring their environment, Betty sat motionless in her crib and didn't respond to rattles or other toys. It wasn’t too long before Betty was diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer as a cure for this condition. But supplements may be helpful. Researchers at the Autism and Epilepsy Specialty Services in Lake Bluff, Illinois, investigated 31 children with autism in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if carnosine would result in changes. Carnosine is a natural substance composed of 2 amino acids. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, muscles, and nerve tissue, including the brain. The exact role of carnosine is not well understood, but studies indicate that this nutrient has antioxidant potential and may also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system). The children received 800 mg of carnosine a day and were compared with a group of children on placebo. After 8 weeks, children given carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture. Dr. Sahelian says: Carnosine, also known as L-carnosine, is sold in health food stores most commonly in capsules of 500 mg. It would be worthwhile to try 100 to 200 mg of this nutrient before breakfast and lunch for a few weeks under a pediatrician’s supervision.

Anti-crosslinking properties of carnosine: significance of histidine.Life Sci. 2004 Jul 30;75(11):1379-89. Carnosine, a histidine-containing dipeptide, is a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that carnosine prevents oxidation and glycation, both of which contribute to the crosslinking of proteins; and protein crosslinking promotes beta-amyloid plaque formation. It was previously shown that carnosine has anti-crosslinking activity, but it is not known which of the chemical constituents are responsible. We tested the individual amino acids in carnosine (beta-alanine, histidine) as well as modified forms of histidine (alpha-acetyl-histidine, 1-methyl-histidine) and methylated carnosine. beta-Alanine showed anti-crosslinking activity but less than that of carnosine, suggesting that the beta-amino group is required in preventing protein crosslinking. Interestingly, histidine, which has both alpha-amino and imidazolium groups, was more effective than carnosine. Acetylation of histidine's alpha-amino group or methylation of its imidazolium group abolished anti-crosslinking activity. Furthermore, methylation of carnosine's imidazolium group decreased its anti-crosslinking activity. The results suggest that histidine is the representative structure for an anti-crosslinking agent, containing the necessary functional groups for optimal protection against crosslinking agents. We propose that the imidazolium group of histidine or carnosine may stabilize adducts formed at the primary amino group.

Use of carnosine as a natural anti-senescence drug for human beings.Biochemistry (Mosc) 2000 Jul;65(7):869-71. Carnosine is an endogenous free-radical scavenger. The latest research indicates that apart from the function of protecting cells from oxidation-induced stress damage, carnosine appears to be able to extend the lifespan of cultured cells, rejuvenate senescent cells, inhibit the toxic effects of amyloid peptide (A beta), malondialdehyde, and hypochlorite to cells, inhibit glycosylation of proteins and protein-DNA and protein-protein cross-linking, and maintain cellular homeostasis. Also, carnosine seems to delay the impairment of eyesight with aging, effectively preventing and treating senile cataract and other age-related diseases. Therefore, carnosine may be applied to human being as a drug against aging. Carnosine Animal Researchl Carnosine reduces telomere damage and shortening rate in cultured normal fibroblasts.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Nov 12;324(2):931-6. Telomere is the repetitive DNA sequence at the end of chromosomes, which shortens progressively with cell division and limits the replicative potential of normal human somatic cells. l Carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide, has been reported to delay the replicative senescence, and extend the lifespan of cultured human diploid fibroblasts. In this work, we studied the effect of carnosine on the telomeric DNA of cultured human fetal lung fibroblast cells. Cells continuously grown in carnosine exhibited a slower telomere shortening rate and extended lifespan in population doublings. When kept in a long-term nonproliferating state, they accumulated much less damages in the telomeric DNA when cultured in the presence of carnosine. We suggest that the reduction in telomere shortening rate and damages in telomeric DNA made an important contribution to the life-extension effect of carnosine.

Dietary supplementation of L-carnosine prevents ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats.Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Feb;28(2):361-3. The effects of dietary supplementation of L carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) on ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure (ARF) in rats were examined. Ischemic ARF was induced by occlusion of the left renal artery and vein for 45 min followed by reperfusion, 2 weeks after contralateral nephrectomy. Renal functional parameters such as blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance, urine flow, urinary osmolality and fractional excretion of sodium were measured. Renal function in ARF rats markedly decreased at 1 d after reperfusion. Prior feeding of L carnosine-containing diet (0.0001 w/w%) for 2 weeks attenuated the ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal dysfunction. Histopathological examination of the kidney of ARF rats revealed severe renal damages, such as tubular necrosis, proteinaceous casts in tubuli and medullary congestion, which were also significantly suppressed by the dietary supplementation of L carnosine. These findings strongly suggest that Lcarnosine supplementation is useful as a prophylactic treatment in the development of the ischemic ARF.

Dose-dependent effects of L carnosine on the renal sympathetic nerve and blood pressure in urethane-anesthetized rats.Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2004 Oct 21 The physiological function of carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) synthesized in mammalian muscles until recently has been unclear. Previously, we observed that intravenous injection of carnosine suppressed renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in urethane-anesthetized rats, and carnosine administered via the diet inhibited the elevation of blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive rats. To identify the mechanism, we examined effects of IV or intra-lateral cerebral ventricular (LCV) injection of various doses of carnosine on RSNA and BP in urethane-anesthetized rats. Lower doses of carnosine significantly suppressed RSNA and BP, while higher doses elevated RSNA and BP. These findings suggest that low-dose carnosine suppresses and high-dose carnosine stimulates RSNA and BP, that the SCN and histaminergic nerve are involved in the activities, and that carnosine acts in the brain and possibly other organs.

Influence of carnosine on the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin in rabbits.Pol J Pharmacol. 2003 Nov-Dec;55(6):1079-87.The aim of this study was to establish the effect of naturally occurring antioxidant carnosine on the doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in a rabbit model. For this purpose, we evaluated the influence of DOX administration alone and in a combined therapy with carnosine on the hemodynamic parameters and on the degree of cardiac muscle cell alterations in rabbits. Thirty one chinchilla rabbits were divided into four groups. One group of rabbits was injected iv with DOX at a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) weekly for 7 weeks to induce congestive heart failure. Another group of rabbits received the same doses of DOX simultaneously with carnosine at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) po daily for 9 weeks. Administration of carnosine started 1 week prior to the first dose of DOX and ended one week after the administration of the last dose of DOX. The control groups of animals received 0.9% NaCl and carnosine alone. The histopathological studies revealed smaller damage of cardiac muscle in rabbits which received DOX with carnosine in comparison to animals receiving DOX alone. Carnosine seems to be cardioprotective during DOX administration.

Carnosine History and PotentialCarnosine (beta-alanyl-L-hystidine) was first isolated in 1900. Carnosine is a dipeptide pound in mammalian tissue, and in particular in skeletal muscle cells; it is responsible for a variety of activities related to the detoxification of the body from free radical species and the by-products of membrane lipids peroxidation. Carnosine protects cell membranes and helps the regulation of macrophage function. Carnosine could act as a natural scavenger of dangerous reactive aldehydes from the degradative oxidative pathway of endogenous molecules such as sugars, polyunsaturated fatty acids and proteins. Carnosine is a potent and selective scavenger of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes inhibits aldehyde-induced protein-protein and DNA-protein cross-linking in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, in cardiovascular ischemic damage, in inflammatory diseases.

Babizhayev MA, et al. Efficacy of N-acetyl- carnosine in the treatment of cataracts. Drugs R D 2002;3(2):87-103

Carnosine emailsQ. Dr. Kyriazis, a leading antiaging MD in the UK, based on his human trials of carnosine and current research states: 1)the current marketed dosing is based upon studies done with mice and cancer patients 2)dosage of 100-200mg are effective in humans while doses greater than 500 mg show adverse and reverse effects. Obviously there is a dosage transition area between 200 and 500. This doctor recommends ideally - 100 to 150 mg a day of carnosine.Your comment on this article would be highly apprecaited. A. Nobody knows for sure what the ideal dosage of carnosine is in humans, and every person is different, however as a general guideline, I believe the lower amounts are probably just fine and people can open a 500 mg carnosine capsule and take a portion of it.

Q. I just thought I would bring to your attention a website in which I feel is spreading misinformation about carnosine. Dr. E.K. Schandl is saying carnosine causes carnosinemia which is an inherited condition but to hear him tell it, supplemental carnosine causes an overload leading to this condition. I feel he is misleading people. He needs to be held accountable for his misleading statements that aren't really backed up by any scientific research. The only research he cites concerns people with the inherited condition. I wrote him about my concerns and he wrote back with a very insulting comment. He said he hopes I take all the carnosine I want in my lifetime. I was wondering if you knew of any avenue we could take to stop this man from deterring people from such a wonderful supplement. A. Although we disagree with his viewpoint on carnosine (we feel it is safe and beneficial in 100 to 250 mg doses taken a few days a week), we feel each person has a right to their own opinion and whatever they wish to say on their website.

Q. Would Carnosine in a liquid form be effective in the treatment of autism. Would carnosine tend to degrade into alanine and histidine - and/or would this be a benefit or problematic? What's the current thinking? Would a liquid form of carnosine still be of benefit to autism? A. We have not seen studies regarding the liquid form of carnosine, we don't see how it could have advantages over the carnosine capsules. In fact, a capsule can be opened and part of the carnosine used in water or juice.

Q. Some people (myself!) get an allergic response (sinus problems, skin rash) to oral carnosine at 500-1000mg, I could lower the dose but I'm curious why this happens (most people can take 1000mg for antiaging (antiglycation) effects). I'm not allergic otherwise to any food. I believe it's a histamine release but I find it strange. Hope to get a reply and keep up the good site! A. Carnosine converts into histidine which converts into histamine. Perhaps too high of a carnosine dose can shift the metabolic pathway towards histamine. I don't think more than 100 mg of carnosine is needed on a regular basis. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be harmful.http://www.raysahelian.com/carnosine.html

and.....

http://www.autismcoach.com/Carnosine%20Study.htm

Carnosine and Autism Study

There is a potential breakthrough in the treatment of autism coming from the Chicago area.

Eight-year-old Sieger is autistic. Jane Mc, 6, has developmental disorders. Drugs and therapies help their conditions, but they are both showing even more improvement recently by taking a supplement found in health food stores.

I was shocked that we saw so much improvement early on after using it," said Jane's mother, Diane Curtis. 's mother expressed similar satisfaction with her son's improvement. "He's just so much happier. That was our first immediate notice," Maureen Sieger said. and Jane have been taking a synthetic version of a natural protein called l-carnosine. Their pediatric neurologist, Dr. Chez of Lake Bluff, Ill., has recently completed the first study of the substance. "It affected language, receptive language, eye contact, communication, all of which are things which children with autism have big gaps with," Chez said.

Over an eight-week period, Chez's study showed that carnosine improved behavior and communication by 16 percent. Social interaction improved by 27 percent and, in just four weeks, parents reported an overall improvement that more than doubled through the length of the study. More and more research shows that the frontal lobes and the temporal lobes in the brain control emotion, epileptic activity, cognitive, expressive speech, and abstract thinking. Chez said I-carnosine apparently works in the front part of the brain. So far, he said he's used it on about 1,000 children, with a 90 percent success rate. According to Dr. Chez, children in his study improved in receptive language, auditory processing, socialization, awareness of surroundings, fine motor planning and expressive language. Responses to supplementation were seen 1 to 8 weeks into supplementation.

On some children, the change has been dramatic. "He runs into gym class. He wants to play tag. He wants to play with the other children and he's really happy to be at school for the first time," Maureen Sieger said.

For autistic children, Doctor Chez finds most beneficial a dosage of 400 mg carnosine in combination with 50-IU Vitamin E and 5 mg zinc twice a day. The zinc and Vitamin E are included because Dr. Chez believes that the addition of small doses of zinc may augment intracellular L-Carnosine activation, and vitamin E may enhance antioxidant neuro-protective properties of L-Carnosine. In some children, too high a dose may overstimulate some patient's frontal lobes which can cause increased irritability, hyperactivity or insomnia which was observed already in hyperactive autistic children. Other than that, there were no side effects. Children with other disorders such as epilepsy, central processing disorder, or brain injury dosages from 200 to 3000 mg per day based upon Dr. Chez's evaluation.

More studies will be needed to confirm the results of Chez's study.

A summary of Dr. Chez' study is as follows:

Double-Blind, placebo-controlled Study of L-carnosine supplementation in children with autistic spectrum disorder

G. Chez, M.D., Cathleen P. Buchanan, Ph.D.,

L. Komen, M.A., Marina Becker, R.N.

Objective: L-Carnosine is an amino acid dipeptide that may enhance frontal lobe function. We therefore sought to investigate whether L-Carnosine supplementation for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) results in observable, objective changes in language and/or behavior in contrast to placebo.

Design/Methods: Thirty-one children (21 M, mean age= 7.45; range = 3.2-12.5 yrs )meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled in an 8 week blinded trial of either 400 mg BID powdered L-Carnosine or placebo. Children were assessed at a pediatric neurology clinic with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), the Expressive and Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary tests (E/ROWPVT), and biweekly parental Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI), at baseline and 8 week endpoint.

Results: Children who were on placebo (n=17) did not show statistically significant changes on any of the outcome measures. After 8 weeks on L-Carnosine, children (n=14) showed statistically significant improvements on the GARS total score, GARS Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales, and the ROWPVT (all p’s<.05). EOWPVT and CARS showed trends in improvements, which were supported by parental CGI.

Conclusions: Oral supplementation with L-Carnosine resulted in demonstrable improvements in autistic behaviors as well as increases in language comprehension that reached statistical significance. Although the mechanism of action of the amino acid is not well understood, it is believed that it acts to modulate neurotransmission and affect metal ion transfer of zinc and copper in the entorhinal cortex. This may enhance neurological function or act in a neuroprotective fashion. Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the article Sweet Dede. Hope you're having a wonderful

Wednesday. Love, PH

>

>

> Carnosine supplement by _Ray Sahelian, M.D._

(http://www.raysahelian.com/)

> health benefit of carnosine supplements

>

> What you will find on this page:

> Carnosine information

> Mind Power Rx with carnosine - formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D. for

mind,

> memory and mood support.

> Eyesight Rx for healthy vision within hours or days.

> Carnosine is a small molecule composed of the amino acids

histidine and

> alanine. Carnosine is found in relatively high concentrations in

several body

> tissues†" most notably in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, nerve

tissue and brain.

> The exact biological role of carnosine is not well understood, but

many

> studies indicate that carnosine has antioxidant potential.

Carnosine may also act

> as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous

system).

> Carnosine has been called a longevity nutrient since laboratory

studies on tissues

> indicate that it can delay senescence and provoke cellular

rejuvenation in

> cultured human fibroblasts. Carnosine has been called the anti-

aging and

> anti-oxidant dipeptide. The exact role of carnosine

supplementation in human health

> is not clear at this time but carnosine appears to be a promising

nutrient

> with much potential.

> L Carnosine, 500 mg, 30 Capsules - Pharmaceutical Grade

> Club Natural

> L-Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of the covalently bonded amino

acids

> alanine and histidine and is found in the brain, heart, skin,

muscles, kidneys

> and stomach. L-Carnosine is naturally produced in the body by the

enzyme

> carnosine synthetase.

>

> L-Carnosine supports healthy aging and cellular rejuvenation by

its effects

> on two mechanisms: Glycosylation and Free Radical Damage.

Glycosylation is

> the oxidation of proteins by glucose resulting in cross-linking of

proteins and

> which is implicated in loss of cell function, genome integrity and

> accelerated aging. L Carnosine also protects the aging process of

the brain by

> retarding lipid peroxidation and stabilizing cell membranes.

> L Carnosine Supplement Facts

> L Carnosine (alanylhistidine) - 500 mg*

>

> Usage: Take half or 1 carnosine capsule before or with breakfast a

few times

> a week, or as directed by your qualified health consultant.

> _Click here to learn more about Carnosine, Mind Power Rx, Eyesight

Rx, or to

> sign up to a FREE newsletter_

> (http://www.physicianformulas.com/store/Scripts/prodview.asp?

idproduct=36 & name=Carnosine)

> Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a

month we

> email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements

and natural

> medicine topics, including L carnosine, and their practical

interpretation by

> Ray Sahelian, M.D.

> MIND POWER Rx with L Carnosine - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

> Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula with carnosine

and a

> dozen brain herbs and nutrients. It combines a delicate balance of

brain

> circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful

natural brain

> chemicals that support healthy:

> Memory and Mood

> Mental clarity

> Concentration

> Alertness & Focus

> Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at

great

> expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination? The herbs

in Mind Power Rx

> include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng,

Mucuna pruriens,

> and Reishi. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include

> Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, L Carnosine, Choline, DMAE,

Inositol, Methylcobalamin,

> Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.

> Click the link above for Carnosine for more information

> Carnosine Studies Show:

> Carnosine may be helpful in children with autism. The dose would

be much

> less than in adults.

> Topical N-Acetyl-carnosine eyedrops shows potential for the

treatment and

> prevention of cataracts. A study with rabbits indicates that

carnosine reduces

> the cardiac toxicity from the use of the chemotherapeutic drug

doxorubicin.

> Another area of potential benefit for carnosine is diabetic

nephropathy.

> Carnosine Physiological role

> First isolated in 1900, carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-hystidine) is a

dipeptide

> commonly present in human and animal tissue, and in particular in

skeletal

> muscle cells; it is responsible for a variety of activities

related to the

> detoxification of the body from free radical species and the by-

products of

> membrane lipids peroxidation. Carnosine also has membrane-

protecting activity,

> proton buffering capacity, formation of complexes with transition

metals, and

> regulation of macrophage function. It has been proposed that

carnosine could act

> as a natural scavenger of dangerous reactive aldehydes from the

degradative

> oxidative pathway of endogenous molecules such as sugars,

polyunsaturated

> fatty acids and proteins. Carnosine is a potent and selective

scavenger of

> alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, typical by-products of membrane

lipids

> peroxidation and considered second messengers of the oxidative

stress, and inhibits

> aldehyde-induced protein-protein and DNA-protein cross-linking in

> neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, in

cardiovascular ischemic

> damage, and in inflammatory diseases.

>

> L Carnosine Research Update

> Carnosine as a protective factor in diabetic nephropathy:

association with a

> leucine repeat of the carnosinase gene CNDP1.

> Diabetes. 2005 Aug;54(8):2320-7.

> The risk of diabetic nephropathy is partially genetically

determined. DNA

> polymorphisms were determined in 135 case (diabetic nephropathy)

and 107

> control (diabetes without nephropathy) subjects. The effect of

carnosine on the

> production of extracellular matrix components and transforming

growth

> factor-beta (TGF-beta) after exposure to 5 and 25 mmol/l d-glucose

was studied in

> cultured human podocytes and mesangial cells, respectively.

Carnosine inhibited

> the increased production of fibronectin and collagen type VI in

podocytes and

> the increased production of TGF-beta in mesangial cells induced by

25 mmol/l

> glucose. Diabetic patients with the CNDP1 Mannheim variant are

less

> susceptible for nephropathy. Carnosine protects against the

adverse effects of high

> glucose levels on renal cells.

>

> Glycation, ageing and carnosine: Are carnivorous diets beneficial?

> Mech Ageing Dev. 2005 Oct;126(10):1034-9.

> Glycation plays important roles in ageing and in diabetes and its

secondary

> complications. It is suggested that carnivorous diets contain a

potential

> anti-glycating agent, carnosine (beta-alanyl-histidine), whilst

vegetarians may

> lack intake of the dipeptide.

> Is carnosine a naturally occurring suppressor of oxidative damage

in

> olfactory neurones?

> Rejuvenation Res. 2004 Winter;7(4):253-5.

> Ghanbari et al. recently showed that neurones from olfactory lobes

of

> Alzheimer's patients exhibit oxidative stress and it is well known

that olfactory

> dysfunction frequently accompanies neurodegeneration. The

olfactory lobe is

> normally enriched in carnosine, a relatively non-toxic (and

sometimes abundant)

> dipeptide which possesses functions (anti-oxidant, antiglycator,

scavenger

> of zinc and copper ions, toxic aldehydes and protein carbonyls)

that are

> likely to suppress oxidative stress. It is suggested that

carnosine's therapeutic

> potential should be explored in olfactory tissue. Should the

peptide prove

> beneficial, olfactory carnosine administration could provide a

direct route to

> compromised tissue, avoiding serum carnosinases.

>

> Anti-crosslinking properties of carnosine: significance of

histidine.

> Hobart LJ. University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, MO

> Life Sci. 2004 Jul 30;75(11):1379-89.

> Carnosine, a histidine-containing dipeptide, is a potential

treatment for

> Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that carnosine prevents

oxidation and

> glycation, both of which contribute to the crosslinking of

proteins; and

> protein crosslinking promotes beta-amyloid plaque formation. It

was previously

> shown that carnosine has anti-crosslinking activity, but it is not

known which of

> the chemical constituents are responsible. We tested the

individual amino

> acids in carnosine (beta-alanine, histidine) as well as modified

forms of

> histidine (alpha-acetyl-histidine, 1-methyl-histidine) and

methylated carnosine.

> beta-Alanine showed anti-crosslinking activity but less than that

of

> carnosine, suggesting that the beta-amino group is required in

preventing protein

> crosslinking. Interestingly, histidine, which has both alpha-amino

and

> imidazolium groups, was more effective than carnosine. Acetylation

of histidine's

> alpha-amino group or methylation of its imidazolium group

abolished

> anti-crosslinking activity. Furthermore, methylation of carnosine's

imidazolium group

> decreased its anti-crosslinking activity. The results suggest that

histidine is

> the representative structure for an anti-crosslinking agent,

containing the

> necessary functional groups for optimal protection against

crosslinking agents.

> We propose that the imidazolium group of histidine or carnosine

may

> stabilize adducts formed at the primary amino group.

>

> Carnosine Helpful in Autism

> From the day she was born, Betty seemed different from other

infants. At an

> age when most infants enjoy interacting with people and exploring

their

> environment, Betty sat motionless in her crib and didn't respond

to rattles or

> other toys. It wasn’t too long before Betty was diagnosed with

autism.

> Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer as a cure for

this condition. But

> supplements may be helpful. Researchers at the Autism and Epilepsy

Specialty

> Services in Lake Bluff, Illinois, investigated 31 children with

autism in an

> 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if carnosine would

result in

> changes. Carnosine is a natural substance composed of 2 amino

acids. It is found in

> relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, muscles,

and nerve

> tissue, including the brain. The exact role of carnosine is not

well

> understood, but studies indicate that this nutrient has

antioxidant potential and may

> also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous

system). The

> children received 800 mg of carnosine a day and were compared with

a group

> of children on placebo. After 8 weeks, children given carnosine

showed

> statistically significant improvements on several tests including

an improvement in

> vocabulary and recognizing a picture.

> Dr. Sahelian says: Carnosine, also known as L-carnosine, is sold

in health

> food stores most commonly in capsules of 500 mg. It would be

worthwhile to try

> 100 to 200 mg of this nutrient before breakfast and lunch for a

few weeks

> under a pediatrician’s supervision.

> Anti-crosslinking properties of carnosine: significance of

histidine.

> Life Sci. 2004 Jul 30;75(11):1379-89.

> Carnosine, a histidine-containing dipeptide, is a potential

treatment for

> Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that carnosine prevents

oxidation and

> glycation, both of which contribute to the crosslinking of

proteins; and

> protein crosslinking promotes beta-amyloid plaque formation. It

was previously

> shown that carnosine has anti-crosslinking activity, but it is not

known which of

> the chemical constituents are responsible. We tested the

individual amino

> acids in carnosine (beta-alanine, histidine) as well as modified

forms of

> histidine (alpha-acetyl-histidine, 1-methyl-histidine) and

methylated carnosine.

> beta-Alanine showed anti-crosslinking activity but less than that

of

> carnosine, suggesting that the beta-amino group is required in

preventing protein

> crosslinking. Interestingly, histidine, which has both alpha-amino

and

> imidazolium groups, was more effective than carnosine. Acetylation

of histidine's

> alpha-amino group or methylation of its imidazolium group

abolished

> anti-crosslinking activity. Furthermore, methylation of carnosine's

imidazolium group

> decreased its anti-crosslinking activity. The results suggest that

histidine is

> the representative structure for an anti-crosslinking agent,

containing the

> necessary functional groups for optimal protection against

crosslinking agents.

> We propose that the imidazolium group of histidine or carnosine

may

> stabilize adducts formed at the primary amino group.

> Use of carnosine as a natural anti-senescence drug for human

beings.

> Biochemistry (Mosc) 2000 Jul;65(7):869-71.

> Carnosine is an endogenous free-radical scavenger. The latest

research

> indicates that apart from the function of protecting cells from

oxidation-induced

> stress damage, carnosine appears to be able to extend the lifespan

of

> cultured cells, rejuvenate senescent cells, inhibit the toxic

effects of amyloid

> peptide (A beta), malondialdehyde, and hypochlorite to cells,

inhibit

> glycosylation of proteins and protein-DNA and protein-protein

cross-linking, and

> maintain cellular homeostasis. Also, carnosine seems to delay the

impairment of

> eyesight with aging, effectively preventing and treating senile

cataract and

> other age-related diseases. Therefore, carnosine may be applied to

human being

> as a drug against aging.

>

> Carnosine Animal Research

> l Carnosine reduces telomere damage and shortening rate in

cultured normal

> fibroblasts.

> Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Nov 12;324(2):931-6.

> Telomere is the repetitive DNA sequence at the end of chromosomes,

which

> shortens progressively with cell division and limits the

replicative potential

> of normal human somatic cells. l Carnosine, a naturally occurring

dipeptide,

> has been reported to delay the replicative senescence, and extend

the lifespan

> of cultured human diploid fibroblasts. In this work, we studied

the effect of

> carnosine on the telomeric DNA of cultured human fetal lung

fibroblast

> cells. Cells continuously grown in carnosine exhibited a slower

telomere

> shortening rate and extended lifespan in population doublings.

When kept in a

> long-term nonproliferating state, they accumulated much less

damages in the telomeric

> DNA when cultured in the presence of carnosine. We suggest that

the

> reduction in telomere shortening rate and damages in telomeric DNA

made an important

> contribution to the life-extension effect of carnosine.

> Dietary supplementation of L-carnosine prevents

ischemia/reperfusion-induced

> renal injury in rats.

> Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Feb;28(2):361-3.

> The effects of dietary supplementation of L carnosine

> (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) on ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute

renal failure (ARF) in rats were

> examined. Ischemic ARF was induced by occlusion of the left renal

artery and

> vein for 45 min followed by reperfusion, 2 weeks after

contralateral

> nephrectomy. Renal functional parameters such as blood urea

nitrogen, plasma

> creatinine, creatinine clearance, urine flow, urinary osmolality

and fractional

> excretion of sodium were measured. Renal function in ARF rats

markedly decreased at

> 1 d after reperfusion. Prior feeding of L carnosine-containing

diet (0.0001

> w/w%) for 2 weeks attenuated the ischemia/reperfusion-induced

renal

> dysfunction. Histopathological examination of the kidney of ARF

rats revealed severe

> renal damages, such as tubular necrosis, proteinaceous casts in

tubuli and

> medullary congestion, which were also significantly suppressed by

the dietary

> supplementation of L carnosine. These findings strongly suggest

that Lcarnosine

> supplementation is useful as a prophylactic treatment in the

development of

> the ischemic ARF.

> Dose-dependent effects of L carnosine on the renal sympathetic

nerve and

> blood pressure in urethane-anesthetized rats.

> Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2004 Oct 21

> The physiological function of carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine)

> synthesized in mammalian muscles until recently has been unclear.

Previously, we

> observed that intravenous injection of carnosine suppressed renal

sympathetic nerve

> activity (RSNA) in urethane-anesthetized rats, and carnosine

administered

> via the diet inhibited the elevation of blood pressure (BP) in

hypertensive

> rats. To identify the mechanism, we examined effects of IV or

intra-lateral

> cerebral ventricular (LCV) injection of various doses of carnosine

on RSNA and BP

> in urethane-anesthetized rats. Lower doses of carnosine

significantly

> suppressed RSNA and BP, while higher doses elevated RSNA and BP.

These findings

> suggest that low-dose carnosine suppresses and high-dose carnosine

stimulates

> RSNA and BP, that the SCN and histaminergic nerve are involved in

the

> activities, and that carnosine acts in the brain and possibly

other organs.

> Influence of carnosine on the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin in

rabbits.

> Pol J Pharmacol. 2003 Nov-Dec;55(6):1079-87.

> The aim of this study was to establish the effect of naturally

occurring

> antioxidant carnosine on the doxorubicin (DOX)-induced

cardiotoxicity in a

> rabbit model. For this purpose, we evaluated the influence of DOX

administration

> alone and in a combined therapy with carnosine on the hemodynamic

parameters

> and on the degree of cardiac muscle cell alterations in rabbits.

Thirty one

> chinchilla rabbits were divided into four groups. One group of

rabbits was

> injected iv with DOX at a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) weekly for 7 weeks

to induce

> congestive heart failure. Another group of rabbits received the

same doses of DOX

> simultaneously with carnosine at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) po daily

for 9 weeks.

> Administration of carnosine started 1 week prior to the first dose

of DOX

> and ended one week after the administration of the last dose of

DOX. The

> control groups of animals received 0.9% NaCl and carnosine alone.

The

> histopathological studies revealed smaller damage of cardiac muscle

in rabbits which

> received DOX with carnosine in comparison to animals receiving DOX

alone.

> Carnosine seems to be cardioprotective during DOX administration.

> Carnosine History and Potential

> Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-hystidine) was first isolated in 1900.

Carnosine

> is a dipeptide pound in mammalian tissue, and in particular in

skeletal muscle

> cells; it is responsible for a variety of activities related to

the

> detoxification of the body from free radical species and the by-

products of membrane

> lipids peroxidation. Carnosine protects cell membranes and helps

the

> regulation of macrophage function. Carnosine could act as a natural

scavenger of

> dangerous reactive aldehydes from the degradative oxidative pathway

of endogenous

> molecules such as sugars, polyunsaturated fatty acids and

proteins.

> Carnosine is a potent and selective scavenger of alpha,beta-

unsaturated aldehydes

> inhibits aldehyde-induced protein-protein and DNA-protein cross-

linking in

> neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, in

cardiovascular

> ischemic damage, in inflammatory diseases.

>

> Babizhayev MA, et al. Efficacy of N-acetyl- carnosine in the

treatment of

> cataracts. Drugs R D 2002;3(2):87-103

> Carnosine emails

> Q. Dr. Kyriazis, a leading antiaging MD in the UK, based on his

human trials

> of carnosine and current research states: 1)the current marketed

dosing is

> based upon studies done with mice and cancer patients 2)dosage of

100-200mg

> are effective in humans while doses greater than 500 mg show

adverse and

> reverse effects. Obviously there is a dosage transition area

between 200 and 500.

> This doctor recommends ideally - 100 to 150 mg a day of

carnosine.Your comment

> on this article would be highly apprecaited.

> A. Nobody knows for sure what the ideal dosage of carnosine is in

humans,

> and every person is different, however as a general guideline, I

believe the

> lower amounts are probably just fine and people can open a 500 mg

carnosine

> capsule and take a portion of it.

> Q. I just thought I would bring to your attention a website in

which I feel

> is spreading misinformation about carnosine. Dr. E.K. Schandl is

saying

> carnosine causes carnosinemia which is an inherited condition but

to hear him tell

> it, supplemental carnosine causes an overload leading to this

condition. I

> feel he is misleading people. He needs to be held accountable for

his

> misleading statements that aren't really backed up by any

scientific research. The

> only research he cites concerns people with the inherited

condition. I wrote

> him about my concerns and he wrote back with a very insulting

comment. He said

> he hopes I take all the carnosine I want in my lifetime. I was

wondering if

> you knew of any avenue we could take to stop this man from

deterring people

> from such a wonderful supplement.

> A. Although we disagree with his viewpoint on carnosine (we feel

it is safe

> and beneficial in 100 to 250 mg doses taken a few days a week), we

feel each

> person has a right to their own opinion and whatever they wish to

say on

> their website.

> Q. Would Carnosine in a liquid form be effective in the treatment

of autism.

> Would carnosine tend to degrade into alanine and histidine -

and/or would

> this be a benefit or problematic? What's the current thinking?

Would a liquid

> form of carnosine still be of benefit to autism?

> A. We have not seen studies regarding the liquid form of

carnosine, we don't

> see how it could have advantages over the carnosine capsules. In

fact, a

> capsule can be opened and part of the carnosine used in water or

juice.

> Q. Some people (myself!) get an allergic response (sinus problems,

skin

> rash) to oral carnosine at 500-1000mg, I could lower the dose but

I'm curious why

> this happens (most people can take 1000mg for antiaging

(antiglycation)

> effects). I'm not allergic otherwise to any food. I believe it's a

histamine

> release but I find it strange. Hope to get a reply and keep up the

good site!

> A. Carnosine converts into histidine which converts into

histamine. Perhaps

> too high of a carnosine dose can shift the metabolic pathway

towards

> histamine. I don't think more than 100 mg of carnosine is needed

on a regular basis.

> Too much of a good thing can sometimes be harmful.

>

> _http://www.raysahelian.com/carnosine.html_

> (http://www.raysahelian.com/carnosine.html)

> and.....

> _http://www.autismcoach.com/Carnosine%20Study.htm_

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Carnosine%20Study.htm)

> Carnosine and Autism Study

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Action%20Alert%20April%202003.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/About.com%20review.htm)

>

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Autism%20Declines%20When%20Mercury%

20Vaccines%20Banned.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Assistsive%20Technology%

20Overview.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/autismtoday.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Bird%20Flu%20-%20Autism%

20Considerations.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Asperger%20Spokesmodel.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Autism%20Immunization%20Poll.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Autism%20One%20Conference.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Autism%20Toddler%20Checklist.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/biology_of_autism.htm)

>

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Cod_Liver_Oil.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Discover%20Autism%20Issue.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Early_Autism_Diagnosis.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Epsom%20Salt%20Study.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Extreme%20Makeover.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/FDA%20Thimerisol%20Information.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/gifted_with_learning_disabilitie.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Glutathione%20and%20Autism%20Protocol)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Glutathione%20Research.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Glutathione%20Study.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Grammar%20Software%20Pilot%

20Program.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/IDEA%20Reauthorization%202004.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/immunization%20autism%20news.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/intervention_basics.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Definition%20of%20Autism.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Mirror%20Neuron%20Theory.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Mirror%20Neuron%20Theory%20Update.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/New%20Brain%20Research.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Reverse%20Autism%20in%20Mice.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Stealth_Virus.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Sydney%20Edmond%20Story.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Rolling%20Stone%20Autism%

20Article.htm)

> (http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%

20Autism.htm)

> There is a potential breakthrough in the treatment of autism

coming from the

> Chicago area.

>

> Eight-year-old Sieger is autistic. Jane Mc, 6, has

> developmental disorders. Drugs and therapies help their

conditions, but they are both

> showing even more improvement recently by taking a supplement

found in health

> food stores.

> I was shocked that we saw so much improvement early on after using

it, " said

> Jane's mother, Diane Curtis. 's mother expressed similar

> satisfaction with her son's improvement. " He's just so much

happier. That was our

> first immediate notice, " Maureen Sieger said. and Jane

have been taking

> a synthetic version of a natural protein called l-carnosine. Their

pediatric

> neurologist, Dr. Chez of Lake Bluff, Ill., has recently

completed

> the first study of the substance. " It affected language,

receptive language,

> eye contact, communication, all of which are things which children

with

> autism have big gaps with, " Chez said.

> Over an eight-week period, Chez's study showed that carnosine

improved

> behavior and communication by 16 percent. Social interaction

improved by 27

> percent and, in just four weeks, parents reported an overall

improvement that more

> than doubled through the length of the study. More and more

research shows

> that the frontal lobes and the temporal lobes in the brain control

emotion,

> epileptic activity, cognitive, expressive speech, and abstract

thinking.

> Chez said I-carnosine apparently works in the front part of the

brain. So far,

> he said he's used it on about 1,000 children, with a 90 percent

success rate.

> According to Dr. Chez, children in his study improved in

receptive

> language, auditory processing, socialization, awareness of

surroundings, fine motor

> planning and expressive language. Responses to supplementation

were seen 1

> to 8 weeks into supplementation.

> On some children, the change has been dramatic. " He runs into

gym class.

> He wants to play tag. He wants to play with the other children and

he's really

> happy to be at school for the first time, " Maureen Sieger said.

> For autistic children, Doctor Chez finds most beneficial a dosage

of 400 mg

> carnosine in combination with 50-IU Vitamin E and 5 mg zinc twice

a day. The

> zinc and Vitamin E are included because Dr. Chez believes that the

addition

> of small doses of zinc may augment intracellular L-Carnosine

activation, and

> vitamin E may enhance antioxidant neuro-protective properties of

> L-Carnosine. In some children, too high a dose may overstimulate

some patient's

> frontal lobes which can cause increased irritability,

hyperactivity or insomnia

> which was observed already in hyperactive autistic children.

Other than that,

> there were no side effects. Children with other disorders such as

epilepsy,

> central processing disorder, or brain injury dosages from 200 to

3000 mg per

> day based upon Dr. Chez's evaluation.

> More studies will be needed to confirm the results of Chez's

study.

> A summary of Dr. Chez' study is as follows:

>

> Double-Blind, placebo-controlled Study of L-carnosine

supplementation in

> children with autistic spectrum disorder

>

>

> G. Chez, M.D., Cathleen P. Buchanan, Ph.D.,

> L. Komen, M.A., Marina Becker, R.N.

>

>

>

> Objective: L-Carnosine is an amino acid dipeptide that may

enhance frontal

> lobe function. We therefore sought to investigate whether L-

Carnosine

> supplementation for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

(ASD) results in

> observable, objective changes in language and/or behavior in

contrast to

> placebo.

> Design/Methods: Thirty-one children (21 M, mean age= 7.45; range

=

> 3.2-12.5 yrs )meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled in an 8

week blinded trial

> of either 400 mg BID powdered L-Carnosine or placebo. Children

were assessed

> at a pediatric neurology clinic with the Childhood Autism Rating

Scale

> (CARS), the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), the Expressive

and Receptive

> One-Word Picture Vocabulary tests (E/ROWPVT), and biweekly

parental Clinical

> Global Impression of Change (CGI), at baseline and 8 week

endpoint.

> Results: Children who were on placebo (n=17) did not show

statistically

> significant changes on any of the outcome measures. After 8 weeks

on

> L-Carnosine, children (n=14) showed statistically significant

improvements on the

> GARS total score, GARS Behavior, Socialization, and Communication

subscales, and

> the ROWPVT (all p’s<.05). EOWPVT and CARS showed trends in

improvements,

> which were supported by parental CGI.

> Conclusions: Oral supplementation with L-Carnosine resulted in

> demonstrable improvements in autistic behaviors as well as

increases in language

> comprehension that reached statistical significance. Although the

mechanism of

> action of the amino acid is not well understood, it is believed

that it acts to

> modulate neurotransmission and affect metal ion transfer of zinc

and copper

> in the entorhinal cortex. This may enhance neurological function

or act in a

> neuroprotective fashion.

>

>

>

>

> **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL

Music.

> (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?

NCID=aolcmp003000000025

> 48)

>