Carnosine, anserine and taurine contents in individual fibres from the middle gluteal muscle of the camel.

High muscle carnosine und anserine contents contribute significantly to intra-cellular physico-chemical buffering. Our aim was to measure carnosine, anserine and taurine contents directly in individual type I, IIA and IIB fibres from the middle gluteus muscle of the camel. Mean carnosine contents in type I, IIA and IIB were 24.6 +/- 9.2, 39.4 +/- 11.4 and 42.8 +/- 18.8 mmol kg-1 dry weight (dw), respectively. Mean anserine contents in type I, IIA and IIB fibres were 30.0 +/- 8.4, 37.3 +/- 10.1 and 34.5 +/- 9.7 mmol kg-1 dw, respectively. Mean taurine contents in type I, IIA and IIB fibres were 42.4 +/- 15.9, 20.3 +/- 12.9 and 24.7 +/- 15.9 mmol kg-1 dw, respectively. Higher carnosine contents in type II fibres emphasise the importance of carnosine to intra-muscular acid-base regulation. A specific role for taurine in type I fibres in unclear.