Carnosine Supplementation Has No Effect on Inflammatory Markers in Adults with Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial (secondary analysis)
PubMed 39599686 · doi:10.3390/nu16223900
What was done
A secondary analysis of a double-blind randomized controlled trial (NCT02917928) evaluated the effect of carnosine on inflammatory biomarkers and adipokines. Out of 88 recruited, 49 eligible adults with prediabetes or well-controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6.6 ± 0.7%, managed with diet and/or metformin) were randomized to receive 2 g/day of oral carnosine or matching placebo for 14 weeks. Forty-one participants (29 men, 12 women; median age 53 years) completed the trial. Serum concentrations of MCP-1, IL-6, IL-10, CRP, TNF-α, adiponectin, leptin, adipsin, serpin, and resistin were measured at baseline and week 14.
What was found
After 14 weeks, changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines did not differ between the carnosine and placebo groups (p > 0.05 for all). Adjustment for age, sex, body fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue did not alter the findings. The abstract reports p > 0.05 for all markers but provides no absolute numerical concentrations or effect sizes.
Why it matters
Despite preclinical in vitro findings suggesting anti-inflammatory properties of carnosine, this trial demonstrates that oral carnosine at 2 g/day does not alter circulating inflammatory markers or adipokines in individuals with prediabetes or well-controlled type 2 diabetes.
Limits
The study had a small sample size (n = 41 completers), a 14-week duration, and was restricted to individuals with prediabetes or well-controlled diabetes. It did not evaluate poorly controlled diabetes or individuals with higher baseline systemic inflammation, and specific numerical endpoint values were omitted from the abstract.
Cited by
- contradicts A 2025 trial in diabetes patients showed carnosine supplementation directly improved glycemic and inflammatory markers.