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The Carnosine Content of V Lateralis in Vegetarians and Omnivores
Author(s) -
Harris Roger C.,
Jones Glenys,
Hill Chester A.,
Kendrick Iain P.,
Boobis Les,
Kim Changkeun,
Kim Hyojeong,
Dang Viet H.,
Edge Johann,
Wise John A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a944-a
Subject(s) - carnosine , limiting , chemistry , ingestion , medicine , zoology , endocrinology , food science , biology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Carnosine (Carn) occurs in high concentrations in muscle where it contributes to H+ buffering. Carn (ß‐AlaHis dipeptide) can be increased 60% or more by supplementation with ß‐alanine (ß‐Ala), which is rate limiting for Carn synthesis in muscle. ß‐Ala is obtained from meat ingestion or from synthesis in the liver. PURPOSE To compare the muscle Carn content of V Lateralis in vegetarians and omnivores. METHOD A muscle biopsy of the V Lateralis was obtained from 6 lacto‐ovo‐ or ovo‐vegetarians and 2 pescetarians resident in the UK and analysed for Carn. Values were compared with those from 4 groups of students (UK, Australian, Korean and Vietnamese) all of whom ate a mixed diet but with considerable variation in the meat content (Australian > Korean, Vietnamese and UK). RESULTS Carn contents of VL: Lacto‐ovo‐vegetarian / ovo‐vegetarian (n = 6; 28.7 ± 10.0 yrs; F; 5 active / 1 sedentary) 12.9 ± 2.8 mmol.kg‐1 dm Pescetarian (n = 2; 19.5 ± 2.1 yrs; 1 F / 1 M; active) 19.5 ± 2.1 mmol.kg‐1 dm Australian students (n = 5; 19.4 ± 2.6 yrs; F; active) 33.6 ± 13.2 mmol.kg‐1 dm Korean cyclists (n = 12; 19.9 ± 1.2 yrs; M; endurance trained) 22.3 ± 4.6 mmol.kg‐1 dm Vietnamese PE students (n = 12; 22.0 ± 2.4 yrs; M; active) 26.5 ± 4.1 mmol.kg‐1 dm UK sports science students (n = 39; 26.5 ± 5.4 yrs; M; active) 23.3 ± 5.4 mmol.kg‐1 dm CONCLUSION Muscle Carn content is reduced in vegetarians. Highest Carn contents are observed in those eating a high meat diet.