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Creighton, J 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5521-7392,
2024.
Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on cardiac function and health.
PhD, Nottingham Trent University.
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J V Creighton Thesis 2024.pdf - Published version Full-text access embargoed until 21 February 2026. Download (20MB) |
Abstract
Carnosine, a pleiotropic histidine-containing dipeptide (HCD), is synthesised from beta alanine and L-histidine; the intact dipeptide and constituent amino acids can be obtained through dietary sources (e.g., meat, poultry, and fish) or via supplementation. Beta alanine is the rate-limiting precursor for intramuscular carnosine synthesis. The therapeutic potential of carnosine in cardiac tissue is promising due to its involvement in calcium handling and sensitivity and oxidative stress, and potential improvements on haemodynamic and histological outcomes. The overall aim of this research programme was to investigate the metabolism of carnosine and beta-alanine in the heart, and the physiological role(s) of beta-alanine supplementation on cardiac function and health in a metabolic disease model with an associated risk of cardiovascular disease.
The research programme had several specific objectives, utilising both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Initially, the uptake and storage of exogenous carnosine and beta alanine in rat cardiomyocyte cells was explored. This was followed by pre-clinical (in vivo mouse) and clinical (in vivo human) interventions, conducted to assess the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on markers of cardiac function and health in a model of metabolic stress (overweight and obesity).
The in vitro experiment suggests that rat cardiomyocyte cells have the enzymes and transporters in place to take up and store exogenous carnosine and beta-alanine; although, the accumulation of beta-alanine in the cardiomyocytes did not increase the synthesis of carnosine within the 72-hour treatment timeframe. In the pre-clinical experiment, beta-alanine concentration was increased in cardiac tissue of mice supplemented with 1.2 % (w/v) of beta-alanine for 12 weeks. Additionally, carnosine concentration in cardiac tissue was increased with beta-alanine supplementation, indicating the synthesis of beta-alanine with L-histidine to form carnosine. An elevation in cardiac anserine concentration, a methylated form of HCD dependent on carnosine synthesis, was also shown. Both in vivo studies did not show any influence of beta alanine supplementation on cardiac function, health, or morphology in overweight and obesity models. Longer beta-alanine supplementation and/or studies in experimental models with established cardiovascular disease comorbidities may be necessary to further explore any therapeutic potential of beta-alanine supplementation on markers of cardiovascular function and health.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Creighton, J. |
| Contributors: | Name Role NTU ID ORCID |
| Date: | May 2024 |
| Rights: | The copyright in this work is held by the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the author. |
| Divisions: | Schools > School of Science and Technology |
| Record created by: | Laura Borcherds |
| Date Added: | 07 Apr 2025 09:30 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Apr 2025 09:30 |
| URI: | https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/53363 |
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