The cytoprotective effect of zinc L-carnosine on ethanol-induced gastric gland damage in rabbits.

The effects of zinc L-carnosine on the damaging actions of ethanol were examined in rabbit isolated gastric glands. Ethanol (8%, v/v) incubation produced a 50% viability of the gland populations and released a significant amount (38%) of the total lactate dehydrogenase (an index of membrane injury) of the glands. Zinc L-carnosine pre-incubation for 15 min markedly prevented these actions of ethanol; however, L-carnosine by itself did not have these effects. The findings indicate that zinc ion but not carnosine in the zinc L-carnosine molecule possesses cytoprotective action against ethanol-induced gastric gland damage in rabbits.