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Platelet monoamine oxidase-A activity and aging: effect of carnosine

S Banerjee1, M K Poddar

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, B.C. Road, Kolkata 700 019, India.

The Journal of Physiological Sciences : JPS
|May 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Carnosine supplementation can reverse age-related decline in platelet monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity in rats. Higher carnosine doses restored enzyme function, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for aging.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aging is associated with significant physiological changes, including alterations in enzyme activity.
  • Platelet mitochondrial monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity, crucial for neurotransmitter metabolism, declines with age.
  • This age-induced inhibition of MAO-A is linked to reduced Vmax, impacting enzyme kinetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of carnosine on age-related changes in platelet mitochondrial MAO-A activity.
  • To determine the dose-dependent efficacy of carnosine in modulating MAO-A activity in young and aged rats.

Main Methods:

  • Male Wistar rats of varying ages (young, 18, and 24 months) were used.
  • Administration of varying dosages of carnosine (0.5, 1.0, 2.0-2.5 μg/kg/day, intrathecally) for 21 consecutive days.
  • Measurement of platelet mitochondrial MAO-A activity and its Vmax.

Main Results:

  • Low-dose carnosine (0.5 μg/kg/day) had no significant effect on MAO-A activity in either young or aged rats.
  • Higher carnosine doses (2.0-2.5 μg/kg/day) significantly enhanced MAO-A activity in aged rats, reversing age-induced inhibition.
  • An intermediate dose (1.0 μg/kg/day) enhanced MAO-A activity specifically in aged rats.

Conclusions:

  • Carnosine effectively counteracts the age-related inhibition of mammalian blood platelet MAO-A activity.
  • Higher dosages of carnosine restore MAO-A activity to levels observed in younger individuals.
  • Carnosine demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent to mitigate age-associated declines in MAO-A function.

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