FUNCTIONAL FOOD ENRICHED WITH CARNOSINE IMPROVES VASCULAR REACTIVITY IN MALE ATHLETES

Objective: Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide that acts as a non-enzymatic free radical scavenger and natural antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 3-week carnosine supplementation by carnosine-enriched chicken meat on endothelium-dependent and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)-dependent vasodilation in young male athletes. Design and method: Thirty-two male athletes were assigned to a control group (n = 16) or a carnosine group (n = 16) consuming normal (410 mg carnosine/day) or carnosine-enriched chicken (590 mg carnosine/day) for 3 weeks. Forearm skin microvascular reactivity in response to vascular occlusion (PORH) and iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside (SNPID) using laser Doppler flowmetry, as well as brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NTG-MD) using ultrasound were measured. In addition, arterial blood pressure and biochemical parameters such as urates and electrolytes were measured before and after treatment. Study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine Osijek (Cl: 602-04/23-08/03; No: 2158-61-46-23-89). Results: Both micro- (SNPID) and macrovascular VSMCs-dependent vasodilation (NTG-MD) were increased, and diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were decreased in the carnosine group after the 3-week dietary protocol. The microvascular endothelium-dependent response (PORH) was increased in the carnosine group and was significantly related to decreased diastolic and mean arterial BP level. After the dietary protocol, the controls had significantly higher urate levels (but still within reference range) than the carnosine group. Conclusions: Dietary carnosine supplementation improves VSMCs-dependent vasodilation in peripheral micro- and macrocirculation, as well as microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation in male athletes. The effect of carnosine on the vascular endothelium could be attributed to its blood pressure-lowering effect. The results suggest that carnosine has the potential to resist hyperuricemia in healthy individuals. Source(s) of research support: Funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds grant #KK.01.1.1.01.0010, and the Faculty of Medicine Osijek Institutional Grant IP-26-MEFOS-2024.