Zinc L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc [1] ) (N-(3-aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc [2] ), often simply called zinc carnosine, and also known as polaprezinc, [3] is a mucosal protective [4] [5] chelate compound of zinc and L-carnosine invented by Hamari Chemicals, Ltd. [6] [7] It is a quadridentate 1:1 complex of a polymeric nature. [6] Although it contains 23% zinc and 77% L-carnosine by mass, [8] zinc carnosine is a molecule and not a mixture of zinc and L-carnosine.
It is an approved drug requiring a medical prescription in Japan and South Korea where it is clinically used to treat gastric ulcers. [3] [9] Clinical studies have also shown its efficacy for oral mucositis, esophagitis, proctitis, taste alteration and dermatitis during and after radiotherapy. [10] [11] In the United States, zinc carnosine is regulated as a New Dietary Ingredient, where notification with the US-FDA is required. [12] In Australia, it is regulated as a complementary medicine. [13] In Canada, it is regulated as a Natural Health Product. [14]
Its mechanism of action is oxygen radical scavenging, anti-oxidation, and acceleration of gastrointestinal wound healing. [3] It exhibits ROS-quenching activities. [4] It can remain in the stomach without rapid dissociation and adhere specifically to ulcerous lesions, after which L-carnosine and zinc are released to heal the ulcer. [6] It has been shown to stimulate mucus production and to maintain the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier. [5] It maintains homeostasis of the gastric mucosa by prostaglandin-independent cytoprotective effects due to anti-oxidative membrane stabilizing actions, and it promotes the repair of damaged tissues by wound healing action. [6]
It exerts cytoprotection through regulating heat shock proteins and chemokines, and by stabilizing mast cells. [10] It does so without affecting the secretion of gastric acid. [10] It has a potential to stimulate Hsp70 expression, with overexpression of Hsp70 being found to prevent the development of inflammatory process in the large intestinal mucosa provoked by various damaging factors. [15] It decreases p53, p21 and Bax expression and apoptosis in the intestine after irradiation. [10] It possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genomic stability enhancement effects, thereby having potential in preventing gastrointestinal cancer development. [9]
It exhibits an inhibitory effect on H. pylori. [6]
Its healing efficacy against ulceration is significantly greater than that of other zinc complexes, free L-carnosine, and zinc D-carnosine [6] (which is not sold as a supplement to consumers). The pharmacological activity of zinc L-carnosine seems attributable mainly to zinc ion, presumably transported effectively into the ulcer by means of L-carnosine together with the action of L-carnosine itself. [6] In contrast, a simple mixture of L-carnosine and zinc had a lesser effect, presumably due to rapid diffusion of L-carnosine and zinc ion in the entire stomach. [6] Per preclinical data, zinc L-carnosine is superior to zinc sulfide for mucositis. [10]
It has a stimulatory effect on bone formation and a restorative effect on bone loss under various pathophysiologic conditions. [16]
Zinc L-carnosine has been used orally [8] [17] or as an oral rinse, lozenge or suppository. [10] The typical clinical oral dose is 150 mg/day, containing 34 mg zinc and 116 mg L-carnosine. [8] [17] (The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for total zinc intake from all sources in adults is 40 mg/day. [18] )
As an oral rinse, it has been used three to four times a day, with or without swallowing, providing a total amount of 150 mg/day. [10] A solution of 5% sodium alginate has been used. [10] Alternatively, it has been used as a lozenge containing 18.75 mg, four times a day. [10] It has also been used as a suppository of 75 mg with Witepsol as a base. [10]
Good clinical compliance was observed at the typical clinical oral dose of 150 mg/day, with no symptomatic side effect reported. [6] The adverse event rate was higher at high dose zinc L-carnosine (300 mg/day) without additional benefits, and therefore high dose is not recommended. [19] Side-effects are associated with the amount of zinc intake. [19]
According to the Japanese product monograph, safety in children below the age of 12, pregnant women and lactating women are not established (no experience in use); and the level of use in the elderly population is suggested and recommended at 100 mg zinc L-carnosine per day because of reduced digestive system function in the general elderly population; and those with poor liver functions should be under medical supervision. [20]
Those with copper deficiency should also be under medical supervision. [21] Although zinc L-carnosine caused an increase in serum zinc level, the serum copper level and copper:zinc ratio decreased, and a case of preexisting copper deficiency deteriorated. [8] As a mitigative, supplementation of 2 mg/day copper as glycinate chelate safely increases Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity. [22]
There is no evidence of a reduced tumor response to radiotherapy. [10]
Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. Zinc is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodic table. In some respects, zinc is chemically similar to magnesium: both elements exhibit only one normal oxidation state (+2), and the Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions are of similar size. Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in Earth's crust and has five stable isotopes. The most common zinc ore is sphalerite (zinc blende), a zinc sulfide mineral. The largest workable lodes are in Australia, Asia, and the United States. Zinc is refined by froth flotation of the ore, roasting, and final extraction using electricity (electrowinning).
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a break in the inner lining of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine, or sometimes the lower esophagus. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, while one in the first part of the intestines is a duodenal ulcer. The most common symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are waking at night with upper abdominal pain, and upper abdominal pain that improves with eating. With a gastric ulcer, the pain may worsen with eating. The pain is often described as a burning or dull ache. Other symptoms include belching, vomiting, weight loss, or poor appetite. About a third of older people have no symptoms. Complications may include bleeding, perforation, and blockage of the stomach. Bleeding occurs in as many as 15% of cases.
Iron deficiency, or sideropenia, is the state in which a body lacks enough iron to supply its needs. Iron is present in all cells in the human body and has several vital functions, such as carrying oxygen to the tissues from the lungs as a key component of the hemoglobin protein, acting as a transport medium for electrons within the cells in the form of cytochromes, and facilitating oxygen enzyme reactions in various tissues. Too little iron can interfere with these vital functions and lead to morbidity and death.
A mouth ulcer (aphtha) is an ulcer that occurs on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Mouth ulcers are very common, occurring in association with many diseases and by many different mechanisms, but usually there is no serious underlying cause. Rarely, a mouth ulcer that does not heal may be a sign of oral cancer. These ulcers may form individually or multiple ulcers may appear at once. Once formed, an ulcer may be maintained by inflammation and/or secondary infection.
Iron-deficiency anemia is anemia caused by a lack of iron. Anemia is defined as a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. When onset is slow, symptoms are often vague such as feeling tired, weak, short of breath, or having decreased ability to exercise. Anemia that comes on quickly often has more severe symptoms, including confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out or increased thirst. Anemia is typically significant before a person becomes noticeably pale. Children with iron deficiency anemia may have problems with growth and development. There may be additional symptoms depending on the underlying cause.
Malabsorption is a state arising from abnormality in absorption of food nutrients across the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Impairment can be of single or multiple nutrients depending on the abnormality. This may lead to malnutrition and a variety of anaemias.
Aphthous stomatitis, or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), is a common condition characterized by the repeated formation of benign and non-contagious mouth ulcers (aphthae) in otherwise healthy individuals. The informal term canker sore is also used, mainly in North America, although it may also refer to other types of mouth ulcers. The cause is not completely understood but involves a T cell-mediated immune response triggered by a variety of factors which may include nutritional deficiencies, local trauma, stress, hormonal influences, allergies, genetic predisposition, certain foods, dehydration, some food additives, or some hygienic chemical additives like SDS.
Anserine (β-alanyl-3-methylhistidine) is a dipeptide containing β-alanine and 3-methylhistidine. Anserine is a derivative of carnosine, which has been methylated. Both anserine and carnosine are capable of chelating copper. Due to its methylation, anserine is more stable in serum and resistant to degradation than carnosine. Anserine can be found in the skeletal muscle and brain of mammals and birds. It can also be found in high levels in the human kidneys. The pKa of the imidazole ring of histidine, when contained in anserine, is 7.04, making it an effective buffer at physiologic pH.
Sucralfate, sold under various brand names, is a medication used to treat stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), radiation proctitis, and stomach inflammation and to prevent stress ulcers. Its usefulness in people infected by H. pylori is limited. It is used by mouth and rectally.
Zinc toxicity is a medical condition involving an overdose on, or toxic overexposure to, zinc. Such toxicity levels have been seen to occur at ingestion of greater than 50 mg of zinc. Excessive absorption of zinc can suppress copper and iron absorption. The free zinc ion in solution is highly toxic to bacteria, plants, invertebrates, and even vertebrate fish. Zinc is an essential trace metal with very low toxicity in humans.
Copper deficiency, or hypocupremia, is defined either as insufficient copper to meet the needs of the body, or as a serum copper level below the normal range. Symptoms may include fatigue, decreased red blood cells, early greying of the hair, and neurological problems presenting as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and ataxia. The neurodegenerative syndrome of copper deficiency has been recognized for some time in ruminant animals, in which it is commonly known as "swayback". Copper deficiency can manifest in parallel with vitamin B12 and other nutritional deficiencies.
Amlexanox is an anti-inflammatory antiallergic immunomodulator used to treat recurrent aphthous ulcers, and several inflammatory conditions. This drug has been discontinued in the U.S.
Zinc deficiency is defined either as insufficient zinc to meet the needs of the body, or as a serum zinc level below the normal range. However, since a decrease in the serum concentration is only detectable after long-term or severe depletion, serum zinc is not a reliable biomarker for zinc status. Common symptoms include increased rates of diarrhea. Zinc deficiency affects the skin and gastrointestinal tract; brain and central nervous system, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems.
Troxipide is a drug used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Troxipide is a systemic non-antisecretory gastric cytoprotective agent with anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and mucus secreting properties irrespective of pH of stomach or duodenum. Troxipide is currently marketed in Japan (Aplace), China (Shuqi), South Korea (Defensa), and India (Troxip). It is used for the management of gastric ulcers, and amelioration of gastric mucosal lesions in acute gastritis and acute exacerbation of chronic gastritis.
Nutritional neuroscience is the scientific discipline that studies the effects various components of the diet such as minerals, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, fats, dietary supplements, synthetic hormones, and food additives have on neurochemistry, neurobiology, behavior, and cognition.
Cytoprotection is a process by which chemical compounds provide protection to cells against harmful agents.
Copper is an essential trace element that is vital to the health of all living things. In humans, copper is essential to the proper functioning of organs and metabolic processes. The human body has complex homeostatic mechanisms which attempt to ensure a constant supply of available copper, while eliminating excess copper whenever this occurs. However, like all essential elements and nutrients, too much or too little nutritional ingestion of copper can result in a corresponding condition of copper excess or deficiency in the body, each of which has its own unique set of adverse health effects.
Treatment of the inherited blood disorder thalassemia depends upon the level of severity. For mild forms of the condition, advice and counseling are often all that are necessary. For more severe forms, treatment may consist in blood transfusion; chelation therapy to reverse iron overload, using drugs such as deferoxamine, deferiprone, or deferasirox; medication with the antioxidant indicaxanthin to prevent the breakdown of hemoglobin; or a bone marrow transplant using material from a compatible donor, or from the patient's mother. Removal of the spleen (splenectomy) could theoretically help to reduce the need for blood transfusions in people with thalassaemia major or intermedia but there is currently no reliable evidence from clinical trials about its effects. Population screening has had some success as a preventive measure.
Barbara Jean Francis Apgar is an American biochemist. She worked on important research on ribonucleic acids (RNA), and on zinc deficiency as a risk factor in reproduction. She won the Federal Woman's Award in 1970, and the Arthur S. Flemming Award in 1973.
Zinc is an essential trace element for humans and other animals, for plants and for microorganisms. Zinc is required for the function of over 300 enzymes and 1000 transcription factors, and is stored and transferred in metallothioneins. It is the second most abundant trace metal in humans after iron and it is the only metal which appears in all enzyme classes.
beta-Alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ), in which zinc is chelated to beta-alanyl-L-histidine, is a new zinc compound.
Zinc-carnosine (Z-103), N-(3-aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc, is a chelate compound consisting of zinc ion and L-carnosine
Polaprezinc (Promac(®), Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), a chelate compound consisting of zinc and L-carnosine, is a zinc-related medicine approved for the first time in Japan, which has been clinically used to treat gastric ulcers. Its mechanism of action is believed to oxygen radical scavenging, anti-oxidation, and acceleration of wound healing.
The mucosal protective drug polaprezinc exhibits ROS-quenching activities.
•Polaprezinc and nocloprost are also mucosal protective drugs, which are in clinical development.
•Its mechanism of action is not totally known, but it has been shown to stimulate mucus production and to maintain the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier [51].
•Patients with stage II-IV pressure ulcers for ≥ 8 weeks received 150 mg/day polaprezinc (containing 116 mg L-carnosine and 34 mg zinc) per os for a maximum of 8 weeks.
•Serum zinc levels increased significantly (P < 0.001), whereas serum copper levels (P= 0.001) and copper/zinc ratios (P < 0.001) decreased significantly. In one patient, preexisting copper deficiency deteriorated.
Zinc L-carnosine (ZnC), which is clinically used as gastric ulcer treatment in Japan, has been suggested to have the potential in preventing cancer development. Multiple studies have revealed that ZnC possesses potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and genomic stability enhancement effects.
•In experimental studies, overexpression of HSP70 was found to prevent the development of inflammatory process in the large intestinal mucosa provoked by various damaging factors.
•There is also a potential for pharmacological stimulation of HSP70 expression, linked (for example) to geranylgeranylacetone, polaprezinc and mesalazine.
beta-Alanyl-L: -histidinato zinc (AHZ) is a zinc compound, in which zinc is chelated to beta-alanyl-L: -histidine. The stimulatory effect of AHZ on bone formation is more intensive than that of zinc sulfate. Zinc acexamate has also been shown to have a potent-anabolic effect on bone. The oral administration of AHZ or zinc acexamate has the restorative effect on bone loss under various pathophysiologic conditions including aging, skeletal unloading, aluminum bone toxicity, calcium- and vitamin D-deficiency, adjuvant arthritis, estrogen deficiency, diabetes, and fracture healing.
Forty-two patients with stage II-IV pressure ulcers for 4 or more weeks were allocated to 1 of 3 groups in order of recruitment: the control group (n = 14) was untreated, the PLZ group (n = 10) orally received 150 mg/d PLZ (containing 116 mg CAR and 34 mg zinc), and the CAR group (n = 18) orally received 116 mg/d CAR.
A LOAEL of 60 mg/day was divided by a UF of 1.5 to derive a UL of 40 mg/day for total intake of zinc from food, water, and supplements.
Accessible only to health professionals. Text in Japanese.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)