[Characteristics of chloramine complexes of carnosine with hypochlorite anion]

Carnosine interaction with CIO results in the formation of a stable chloramine complex. The binding of the whole bulk of hypochlorite to carnosine is completed within one minute of incubation. During subsequent 2-hour incubation no more than 15% of the chloramine complex is destroyed; this property of carnosine makes it similar to taurine. Unlike histidine and beta-alanine, glutathione rapidly interacts with hypochlorite. However, in contrast with these compounds and carnosine, glutathione does not form stable chloramine complexes with CIO. The putative role of myeloperoxidase in the development of senile human lens opacities is discussed.