Effect of carnosine administration on metabolic parameters in bilharzia-infected hamsters

Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide (beta -alanyl-L-histidine) fou nd in muscles, brain and other tissues. This study was designed to test the ability of carnosine to offset metabolic disturbances induced by Schistoso ma mansoni parasitism. Results indicate that parasitic infection caused ele vation of liver weight/body weight in S. mansoni-infected hamsters, induced lipid peroxidation and reduced glycogen levels. Moreover, adenylate energy charge (AEC) and ATP/ADP and ATP/AMP concentration ratios were markedly lo wer in infected hamsters. Administration of carnosine (10 mg/day) for 15 da ys concurrent with infection effectively reduced worm burden and egg count. Administration of carnosine 2 and 4 weeks post-exposure only partially ame liorated the S. mansoni effects on metabolism. Carnosine treatment also nor malized most of the parameters measured, including glycogen repletion, the antioxidant status and AEC. These finding support the use of carnosine for possible intervention in schistosomiasis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. Al l rights reserved.