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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 2026

3 results

Evaluation of the Potential Effects of Carnosine on Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in a Rat Model: A Lack of Significant Protective Effect.

Iyiol AR

Cureus28 Apr 2026

PMID42058553 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13124020 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.7759/cureus.107891 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42058553
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Summary

Background Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury represents a critical clinical condition characterized by oxidative stress, inflammatory activation, and impairment of intestinal mucosal integrity. Although restoration of blood flow is necessary to prevent irreversible tissue damage, reperfusion itself can aggravate injury through complex biochemical and cellular mechanisms. Despite improvements in surgical and intensive care management, effective pharmacological agents capable of reducing intestinal I/R injury remain limited. Carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been proposed as a potential protective agent in several experimental I/R models. Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether carnosine administration reduces histopathological mucosal injury scores and alters biochemical parameters in a rat model of intestinal I/R injury. Methods We allocated 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into three groups (n = 10 each): control, I/R, and I/R + carnosine. Intestinal ischemia was established by clamping of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 60 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. In the treatment group, carnosine (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered immediately prior to the reperfusion phase. At the end of the reperfusion period, the animals were sacrificed, and terminal ileum tissue samples, together with intracardiac blood specimens, were collected. Histological injury was evaluated using the Chiu/Park mucosal injury scoring system. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), potassium (K), creatine kinase (CK), and phosphorus (P) levels were analyzed. Results Histopathological injury scores were significantly higher in both ischemic groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the I/R and I/R + carnosine groups (p > 0.05). Serum MDA levels were highest in the carnosine-treated group. Conclusion Carnosine did not demonstrate a protective effect against intestinal I/R injury under the conditions of this study. The elevated MDA levels observed in the treatment group further complicate the interpretation of its expected antioxidant effects. Further experimental studies are required to clarify the role of carnosine in intestinal I/R injury.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with intestinal I/R injury, serum MDA levels were highest in the carnosine-treated group.

    In plain wordsIn rats with intestinal injury, serum MDA levels were highest in the carnosine-treated group.

    Peptide
    L-carnosine
    Outcome
    IncreaseSerum malondialdehyde
    Study

    ratn = 30

    Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury
    Comparator
    Control and I/R groups
    Outcome group
    Oxidative stress · Whole body
    Studied dose
    50 mg/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Serum MDA levels were highest in the carnosine-treated group.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Methods We allocated 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into three groups (n = 10 each): control, I/R, and I/R + carnosine.
    Summary · context
    In the treatment group, carnosine (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered immediately prior to the reperfusion phase.
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with intestinal I/R injury, carnosine did not significantly change mucosal injury scores versus untreated I/R.

    In plain wordsIn rats with intestinal injury, carnosine did not significantly change injury scores compared with untreated injury.

    Peptide
    L-carnosine
    Outcome
    No significant changeMucosal injury score versus I/R
    Study

    ratn = 20

    Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury
    Comparator
    I/R without carnosine
    Outcome group
    Gastrointestinal protection · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    50 mg/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    No statistically significant difference was observed between the I/R and I/R + carnosine groups (p > 0.05).
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Results Histopathological injury scores were significantly higher in both ischemic groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05).
    Summary · context
    Methods We allocated 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into three groups (n = 10 each): control, I/R, and I/R + carnosine.
    Summary · context
    In the treatment group, carnosine (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered immediately prior to the reperfusion phase.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats, mucosal injury scores were higher with I/R plus carnosine than in controls.

    In plain wordsIn rats, intestinal injury scores were higher with injury plus carnosine than in controls.

    Peptide
    L-carnosine
    Outcome
    IncreaseMucosal injury score versus control
    Study

    ratn = 20

    Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury
    Comparator
    Control
    Outcome group
    Gastrointestinal protection · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    50 mg/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Results Histopathological injury scores were significantly higher in both ischemic groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Methods We allocated 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into three groups (n = 10 each): control, I/R, and I/R + carnosine.
    Summary · context
    In the treatment group, carnosine (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered immediately prior to the reperfusion phase.

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    27 Oct 2026, 18:20 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    27 Oct 2026, 16:32 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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