eCite Digital Repository
Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes
Citation
Mahmood, A and FitzGerald, A J and Marchbank, T and Ntatsaki, E and Murray, D and Ghosh, S and Playford, RJ, Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes, Gut: An International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 56, (2) pp. 168-175. ISSN 0017-5749 (2007) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1136/gut.2006.099929
Abstract
Background: Zinc carnosine (ZnC) is a health food product claimed to possess health-promoting and gastrointestinal supportive activity. Scientific evidence underlying these claims is, however, limited. Aim: To examine the effect of ZnC on various models of gut injury and repair, and in a clinical trial. Methods: In vitro studies used pro-migratory (wounded monolayer) and proliferation ([ 3H]-thymidine incorporation) assays of human colonic (HT29), rat intestinal epithelial (RIE) and canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells. In vivo studies used a rat model of gastric damage (indomethacin/ restraint) and a mouse model of small-intestinal (indomethacin) damage. Healthy volunteers (n = 10) undertook a randomised crossover trial comparing changes in gut permeability (lactulose:rhamnose ratios) before and after 5 days of indomethacin treatment (50 mg three times a day) with ZnC (37.5 mg twice daily) or placebo coadministration. Results: ZnC stimulated migration and proliferation of cells in a dose-dependent manner (maximum effects in both assays at 100 μmol/I using HT29 cells), causing an approximate threefold increase in migration and proliferation (both p<0.01). Oral ZnC decreased gastric (75% reduction at 5 mg/ml) and small-intestinal injury (50% reduction in villus shortening at 40 mg/ml; both p<0.01). In volunteers, indomethacin caused a threefold increase in gut permeability in the control arm; lactulose:rhamnose ratios were (mean (standard error of mean)) 0.35 (0.035) before indomethacin treatment and 0.88 (0.11) after 5 days of indomethacin treatment (p<0.01), whereas no significant increase in permeability was seen when ZnC was coadministered. Conclusion: ZnC, at concentrations likely to be found in the gut lumen, stabilises gut mucosa. Further studies are warranted.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
| Research Group: | Clinical sciences |
| Research Field: | Gastroenterology and hepatology |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Clinical health |
| Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | Playford, RJ (Professor Ray Playford) |
| ID Code: | 72972 |
| Year Published: | 2007 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 75 |
| Deposited By: | Research Division |
| Deposited On: | 2011-09-05 |
| Last Modified: | 2011-09-05 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page