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Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: July 26, 2018
Carnosine-Related Metabolism in Rat Cardiomyocytes and Human Heart Tissue
Jade V Creighton1, Lívia de Souza Gonçalves2, Saulo Gil3
1Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research (SHiMR), School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
Summary
The human heart can uptake and metabolize carnosine and beta-alanine, essential for potential cardiac therapies. This study confirms the presence of key enzymes and transporters in cardiac tissue for these compounds.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Carnosine and beta-alanine show therapeutic promise for cardiac conditions.
- Understanding their metabolism in cardiac tissue is crucial for in vivo supplementation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate carnosine and beta-alanine uptake and metabolism in cardiomyocytes.
- To determine the expression of related enzymes and transporters in human cardiac tissue.
Main Methods:
- H9c2 cells treated with carnosine/beta-alanine; gene expression and amino acid analysis.
- Human heart ventricle samples analyzed for carnosine, beta-alanine, and protein expression.
Main Results:
- Cardiomyocytes express genes for carnosine/beta-alanine metabolism (excluding AGXT2).
- Beta-alanine supplementation decreased TAUT and PHT1 transporter expression.
- Both carnosine and beta-alanine were uptaken and accumulated in cardiomyocytes.
- Human heart ventricles express relevant metabolic enzymes and transporters.
Conclusions:
- Cardiomyocytes and the human heart possess the necessary machinery for beta-alanine uptake and carnosine synthesis.
- These findings support the potential viability of carnosine and beta-alanine supplementation for cardiac health.

