Carnosine as a Histidine Source: Transport and Hydrolysis of Exogeneous Carnosine by Rat Intestine

Abstract

Transport and metabolism of L-Carnosine (α-alanyl-L-histidine) were studied in rat small intestine. Carnosine administered orally was found in rat serum as well as small intestine and liver, followed by an increase of histidine. At ten minutes after carnosine infusion per os, the carnosine content of the hepatic portal vein increased with the dose. On the other hand, the histidine content increased two-fold but did not vary with the dose. These results suggest that part of the carnosine administered orally is hydrolyzed to ��-alanine and histidine in the small intestine. © 1985, Center for Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.