Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
06:18
Assessing Lysosomal Alkalinization in the Intestine of Live Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: April 13, 2018
6.4K
Carnosine and the processes of ageing
Alan R Hipkiss1, Estifanos Baye2, Barbora de Courten3
1Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing (ARCHA), Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
Maturitas
|June 27, 2016
Summary
The endogenous dipeptide carnosine, a food supplement, may combat ageing through multiple mechanisms. Evidence suggests carnosine inhibits mechanistic target of rapamycin and acts as a carbonyl scavenger, potentially alleviating age-related decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and molecular biology.
- Nutritional science and biochemistry.
Background:
- Ageing is a complex process influenced by multiple factors.
- The dipeptide carnosine, found naturally and as a supplement, is proposed to have anti-ageing properties.
- Understanding carnosine's mechanisms is key to its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the potential anti-ageing mechanisms of the endogenous dipeptide carnosine.
- To explore how carnosine might alleviate age-related changes.
- To review evidence supporting carnosine's role in longevity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and theoretical discussion of carnosine's biological activities.
- Analysis of proposed molecular pathways involved in ageing.
- Examination of evidence for carnosine's effects on cellular processes.
Main Results:
- Carnosine's anti-ageing effects may stem from its ability to inhibit the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.
- Carbonyl scavenging by carnosine is identified as another significant mechanism against age-related damage.
- These mechanisms suggest a multi-targeted approach to mitigating ageing.
Conclusions:
- Carnosine exhibits promising anti-ageing potential through distinct molecular interventions.
- Inhibition of mTOR and carbonyl scavenging are key pathways for carnosine's age-alleviating effects.
- Further research into carnosine supplementation could offer strategies for healthy ageing.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
4.1K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
4.1K
01:26Aging
964
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
964
01:37Mitochondria
21.2K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
21.2K
03:03Amyloid Fibrils
12.8K
Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins. Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils.
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
12.8K
01:27Autophagy
6.0K
Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
6.0K
01:29Bone Disorders
6.3K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
6.3K