The Antioxidant Effect of Beta-Alanine or Carnosine Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the articles that addressed the effect beta-alanine (BA) or carnosine supplementation on Physical exercise (PE)-induced oxidative stress (OS). We searched throughout PubMed, CAPES Periodic and SPORTDiscus human model peer review, randomized control studies with chronic BA or carnosine supplementation on PE-induced OS. We search papers published before May 2018. A total of 128 citations were found. Only four articles met criteria for inclusion. All four studies used healthy young (21y) sedentary, recreationally active or athletic participants. After a chorionic BA (~30 days) or carnosine (14 days) supplementation, the studies evaluated PE-induced OS both immediately and several hours after exercise (0.5 to 48 h). In response to PE-induced OS, BA/carnosine supplementation increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione concentrations while decreased pro-oxidant markers and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. BA or carnosine supplementation did not prevent the increase in peroxidation markers (e.g., 8-isoprostane, protein carbonyl or malonaldehyde). In humans, following PE-induced OS, initial treatment trials of BA or carnosine supplementation seemed to increase TAC and GSH concentrations, while decreasing SOD activity. Also, albeit mitigating the acute increase in pro-oxidants, treatment did not decrease measured values of peroxidation markers.