Physiological Roles of Carnosine in Myocardial Function and Health

Carnosine is a pleiotropic histidine-containing dipeptide synthesised from beta-alanine and L-histidine, with the intact dipeptide and constituent amino acids being available from the diet. The therapeutic application of carnosine in myocardial tissue is promising, with carnosine playing a potentially beneficial role in both healthy and diseased myocardial models. This narrative review discusses the role of carnosine in myocardial function and health, including an overview of the metabolic pathway of carnosine in the myocardial tissue, the roles carnosine may play in the myocardium, and a critical analysis of the literature, focusing upon the effect of exogenous carnosine and its precursors on myocardial function. By so doing, we aim to identify current gaps in the literature, thereby identifying considerations for future research