Objective: 

This study aimed to investigate alterations in hemorheology induced by carnosine, an anti-oxidant dipeptide, and to determine their relationship to oxidative stress in density-separated erythrocytes of aged and young rats.

Methods: 

Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups as aged (Aca), young (Yca) carnosine groups (250 mg/kg L-carnosine, i.p.) and aged (As), young (Ys) control groups (saline, ip). Density separation was further performed to these groups in order to separate erythrocytes according to their age. Blood samples were used for the determination of erythrocyte deformability, aggregation; and oxidative stress parameters. Statistical significance was accepted as P <0.05. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U with the Bonferonni Correction Tests were used for statistically analyses.

Results: 

Erythrocyte deformability of Yca group measured at 0.53 Pa was lower than As and Aca. Similarly, deformability of least-dense (young) erythrocytes of Yca group was decreased compared to least-dense erythrocytes of As and Aca groups. Erythrocyte aggregation in the Aca group was found to be increased compared to Ys group. Total antioxidant status (TAS) of Aca and Yca groups was higher and oxidative stress index (OSI) lower than As group.

Conclusions: 

Although carnosine resulted in an enhancement in TAS of both young and aged rats, this favorable effect was not observed in erythrocyte deformability and aggregation in the dose applied in this study.