Comparison of protective effects of carnosine and acetylcarnosine during cardioplegia

Bioactive peptide carnosine (β-analyl-L-histidine) and its acetylated derivative added to cardioplegic solution in physiological concentrations (2–10 mM) promote complete recovery of the contractile function of rat heart after cardioplegia. Carnosine prevented the release of myoglobin, while acetylcarnosine prevented the loss of both myoglobin and nucleotides. These data attest to membrane-protective effects of these compounds.