L-carnosine May Prevent Cataracts

CATANIA, ItalyL-carnosine may restore most of the lens transparency in organ-cultured rat lenses exposed to similar denaturing conditions (Biochemistry. 2009;48(27):652231) (DOI:10.1021/bi900343n). The natural dipeptide l-carnosine has been shown to have potential protective and therapeutic significance in many diseases. Carnosine derivatives have been proposed as potent agents for ophthalmic therapies of senile cataracts and diabetic ocular complications. Researchers report the inhibitory effect induced by the peptide (l- and d-enantiomeric form) on alpha-crystallin fibrillation and the almost complete restoration of the chaperone activity lost after denaturant and/or heat stress. DSC and a near-UV CD assay evidenced the structural precursors of amyloid fibrils are polypeptide chain segments that lack stable structural elements. The results indicated a disassembling effect of carnosine on alpha-crystallin amyloid fibrils.