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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles
Published on: November 1, 2012
Histidine dipeptide levels in ageing and hypertensive rat skeletal and cardiac muscles
1Department of Chemistry, Ohio University, Athens 45701.
Abstract:
1. In rat skeletal muscles (longissimus dorsi and quadriceps femoris), carnosine and anserine levels decreased 35-50% during senescence, and were 35-45% lower in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive levels. 2. In rat left ventricular cardiac muscle, although no free carnosine and anserine were detected, the total level of histidine dipeptides declined 22% during senescence and in hypertensive animals decreased 35% compared to normotensive levels. 3. The significance of these changes in relation to the possible antioxidant roles of histidine dipeptides in muscle is discussed.
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