Natural killer cell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
L-carnosine is a normal chemical component of mammal nervous systems and muscle tissues. It is a combination of two amino acids, alanine and histidine.
The effect of l-carnosine on sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) was studied following injections of l-carnosine into the small intestine and was found to suppress the SNA. Reduced SNA increases natural killer (NK) cell activity of the spleen, which has been found to increase tumor immunity and help suppress cancer.
In addition, the authors studied human colon cancer cells which had been transplanted into mice. Carnosine solution was the only drinking water for the mice. This inhibited the tumor growth in the mice which drank the l-carnosine, compared to mice which had been transplanted with cancer but drank only water.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that l-carnosine consumed orally can inhibit the growth of tumors, most likely by increased natural killer (NK) cell activity.
NOTES: L-carnosine is available as an over-the-counter supplement.
The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system which acts in “fight or flight” situations. The autonomic nervous system functions in unconscious activities of the body.
Natural killer cells are a type of white cell which work to destroy abnormal cells in the body, including cancer cells and viral infected cells.
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PMID: 22240100.
Summary #688.
