Effect of L-carnosine on the hyperglycemia caused by intracranial injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in rats

Effects of a chicken essence and one of its components, L-carnosine, on the hyperglycemia caused by intracranial injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG-h yperglycemia) in unanesthetized rats were examined. The chicken essence inh ibited the 2DG-hyperglycemia. Central or peripheral administration of speci fic doses of L-carnosine reduced the 2DG-hyperglycemia. L-carnosine inhibit ed neural activities of sympathetic efferent nerves innervating the adrenal gland and liver and facilitated the activity of vagal celiac nerve innerva ting the pancreas in urethane anesthetized rats. Specific doses of histamin e also suppressed the 2DG-hyperglycemia, and thioperamide eliminated the in hibiting actions of both histamine and L-carnosine on the 2DG-hyperglycemia . Considering mammalian muscles contain L-carnosine, these facts suggest a possibility that L-carnosine might be an endogenous control factor of the b lood glucose level through autonomic nerves via H3-receptor. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.