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Amino Acids Mar 2020Taurine (a sulfur-containing β-amino acid), creatine (a metabolite of arginine, glycine and methionine), carnosine (a dipeptide; β-alanyl-L-histidine), and... (Review)
Review
Taurine (a sulfur-containing β-amino acid), creatine (a metabolite of arginine, glycine and methionine), carnosine (a dipeptide; β-alanyl-L-histidine), and 4-hydroxyproline (an imino acid; also often referred to as an amino acid) were discovered in cattle, and the discovery of anserine (a methylated product of carnosine; β-alanyl-1-methyl-L-histidine) also originated with cattle. These five nutrients are highly abundant in beef, and have important physiological roles in anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory reactions, as well as neurological, muscular, retinal, immunological and cardiovascular function. Of particular note, taurine, carnosine, anserine, and creatine are absent from plants, and hydroxyproline is negligible in many plant-source foods. Consumption of 30 g dry beef can fully meet daily physiological needs of the healthy 70-kg adult human for taurine and carnosine, and can also provide large amounts of creatine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline to improve human nutrition and health, including metabolic, retinal, immunological, muscular, cartilage, neurological, and cardiovascular health. The present review provides the public with the much-needed knowledge of nutritionally and physiologically significant amino acids, dipeptides and creatine in animal-source foods (including beef). Dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline are beneficial for preventing and treating obesity, cardiovascular dysfunction, and ageing-related disorders, as well as inhibiting tumorigenesis, improving skin and bone health, ameliorating neurological abnormalities, and promoting well being in infants, children and adults. Furthermore, these nutrients may promote the immunological defense of humans against infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses (including coronavirus) through enhancing the metabolism and functions of monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system. Red meat (including beef) is a functional food for optimizing human growth, development and health.
Topics: Animals; Anserine; Carnosine; Cattle; Creatine; Humans; Hydroxyproline; Nutritive Value; Red Meat; Taurine
PubMed: 32072297
DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02823-6 -
Amino Acids Jan 2019
Topics: Animals; Anserine; Biomedical Research; Carnosine; Humans
PubMed: 30617755
DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-02689-9 -
American Family Physician Jan 2024Hip and knee injections are useful diagnostic and therapeutic tools for family physicians. This article reviews anatomic landmark-guided and ultrasound-guided injections... (Review)
Review
Hip and knee injections are useful diagnostic and therapeutic tools for family physicians. This article reviews anatomic landmark-guided and ultrasound-guided injections and aspiration techniques for greater trochanteric pain syndrome, the hip joint, the knee joint, the pes anserine bursa, and the iliotibial band. Indications for injections include acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; overuse; and traumas. Joint aspirations may be performed to aid in the diagnosis of unexplained effusions and to relieve pain. Technique, injectant, and follow-up timing depend on the physician's comfort, experience, and preference. Infections of the skin or soft tissue are the primary contraindications to injections. The most common complications are local inflammatory reactions to the injectant. These reactions usually cause soreness for 24 to 48 hours, then spontaneously resolve. Follow-up after injections is usually scheduled within two to six weeks.
Topics: Humans; Knee Joint; Pain; Injections; Bursitis; Bursa, Synovial; Injections, Intra-Articular
PubMed: 38227872
DOI: No ID Found -
FP Essentials Jul 2018Physical therapy (PT) modalities are a diverse group of treatments for musculoskeletal pain. Iontophoresis, phonophoresis, kinesiology taping, laser therapy, and... (Review)
Review
Physical therapy (PT) modalities are a diverse group of treatments for musculoskeletal pain. Iontophoresis, phonophoresis, kinesiology taping, laser therapy, and myofascial release are some of the most commonly used and are best considered as adjuncts to exercise. Each modality is relatively safe, but none is supported by high-quality evidence in the management of most musculoskeletal conditions. Individual patient response to such modalities is variable. Neither iontophoresis nor phonophoresis has been shown to have greater benefits for neck or back pain than supervised PT. However, use of phonophoresis has been shown to result in a small improvement when added to therapeutic exercise. Kinesiology taping improves symptoms for patients with plantar fascia pain, pes anserine bursitis, and low back pain (LBP). Laser therapy has shown small benefit in chronic LBP and shoulder disorders including adhesive capsulitis, calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tendinopathies. Myofascial release, has been found to improve symptoms of neck pain. These modalities should never replace active PT, but their use should not be discouraged as part of a comprehensive program. A concern is cost because many health insurance companies consider these therapies to be medically unnecessary or experimental.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 29963844
DOI: No ID Found -
Current Protein & Peptide Science 2018Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and its methylated derivatives: anserine (β-alanyl-Nπ- methyl-L-histidine) and balenine (β-alanyl-Nτ-methyl-L-histidine) are... (Review)
Review
Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and its methylated derivatives: anserine (β-alanyl-Nπ- methyl-L-histidine) and balenine (β-alanyl-Nτ-methyl-L-histidine) are abundant constituents of excitable tissues of vertebrates. While carnosine and anserine are present at high concentrations and in variable proportions in skeletal muscle and brain of most vertebrates, balenine appears to be rather more abundant in marine mammals and certain reptilian species. Since the discovery of these compounds at the beginning of 20th century, numerous studies have been devoted to identification of the biochemical and physiological properties of carnosine and related dipeptides. These led to the discovery of the pHbuffering, metal-chelation and antioxidant, capabilities of carnosine and anserine, although no definitive ideas concerning their physiological role has yet been formulated. Only recently the molecular identities of the enzymes catalyzing synthesis of carnosine (carnosine synthase, EC 6.3.2.11) and anserine (carnosine N-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.22) have been elucidated, which has given a new insight into their metabolism in vertebrates. These findings have opened new research areas and provide authentic opportunities for understanding the biological function of these "enigmatic" dipeptides. This review aims to summarize recent advances in our knowledge concerning enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of carnosine and related dipeptides and to evaluate their importance in vertebrate physiology.
Topics: Animals; Anserine; Antioxidants; Biosynthetic Pathways; Carnosine; Dipeptides; Organ Specificity; Peptide Synthases; Protein Conformation; Protein Methyltransferases; Signal Transduction; Vertebrates
PubMed: 29484990
DOI: 10.2174/1389203719666180226155657