CNDP2: An Enzyme Linking Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases?

The heart requires a substantial amount of energy to function, utilising various substrates including lipids, glucose and lactate as energy sources. In times of increased stress, lactate becomes the primary energy source of the heart, but persistently elevated lactate levels are linked to poor patient outcomes and increased mortality. Recently, carnosine dipeptidase II (CNDP2) was discovered to catalyse the formation of Lac-Phe, an exercise-induced metabolite derived from lactate, which has been shown to suppress appetite in mice and reduce adipose tissue in humans.