[Carnosine metabolism in excitable tissues: biological significance]

The paper provides the data characterizing the antioxidative activity of carnosine and its related compounds by using various complexity models wherein primarily various active oxygen forms are generated. Though the agent is able to interact with various radicals, it is more effective against a hydroxyl radical than homocarnosine, anserine, and acetylcarnosine. Among the compounds studied, acetylcarnosine and anserine provide the best protection against a superoxide anion, anserine is the most effective agent in suppressing the myeloperoxidase reaction. Homocarnosine is more effective than the other carnosine-related compounds, in protecting thymine from the damaging effect of ultraviolet irradiation. It is suggested that metabolism of these compounds makes various carnosine derivatives appear in relation to the tissue specificity of formation and conversion of active oxygen forms.