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Carnosine Supplementation Has No Effect on Inflammatory Markers in Adults with Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

  • 2024-11-15
  • Nutrients 16(22)
    • Saeede Saadati
    • Maximilian de Courten
    • Cyril Deceneux
    • Magdalena Plebanski
    • David Scott
    • Jakub Mesinovic
    • Paul Jansons
    • Giancarlo Aldini
    • James Cameron
    • Jack Feehan
    • Aya Mousa
    • Barbora de Courten

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 88
Population
49 adults with prediabetes or well-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D)
Methods
Double-blind RCT, 2 g/day of carnosine or matching placebo for 14 weeks
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
14 weeks
Funding
Unclear
  • Rigorous Journal

Background/objectives

In vitro studies suggest that carnosine reduces inflammation by upregulating anti-inflammatory mediators and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, human clinical trials examining the effects of carnosine on inflammatory biomarkers are scant. We conducted a secondary analysis of a double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of carnosine supplementation on inflammatory markers and adipokines in participants with prediabetes or well-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Out of 88 participants who were recruited, 49 adults with prediabetes or well-controlled T2D (HbA1c: 6.6 ± 0.7% [mean ± SD]) who were treated with diet and/or metformin were eligible for inclusion. Participants were randomised to receive 2 g/day of carnosine or a matching placebo for 14 weeks. We measured serum concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adiponectin, leptin, adipsin, serpin, and resistin levels at baseline and after 14 weeks. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02917928).

Results

Forty-one participants (M = 29/F = 12) aged 53 (42.6, 59.3) years [median (IQR)] completed the trial. After 14 weeks of supplementation, changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all). The results remained unchanged after adjustment for confounders including age, sex, and anthropometric measures (e.g., body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue).

Conclusions

In individuals with prediabetes and well-controlled T2D, carnosine supplementation did not result in any significant changes in inflammatory markers. Larger RCTs with longer follow-up durations are needed to evaluate whether carnosine may be beneficial in individuals with poorly controlled T2D.

Research Insights

  • Carnosine→Increased Adiponectin Levels

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Increased Interleukin-10 Levels

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Adipsin Level

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Leptin Level

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Level

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Resistin Level

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Serpin Level

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
  • Carnosine→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

    changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all).

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    2 g/day
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