Both 1-methylhistidine and 3-methylhistidine are histidine metabolites which have been proposed as markers of meat intake.
Note that some confusion exists in the literature regarding the numbering of atoms in the imidazole ring of histidine – 1 versus 3 – and thus, there is caution with interpretation and clinical significance of these two markers.
3-methylhistidine is a constituent of actin and myosin, the contractile proteins of skeletal muscles. Urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine may be a result of muscle breakdown or consumption of meat fibers. Unlike 1-methylhistidine, 3-methylhistidine has been shown to increase in fasting states indicating catabolism of muscle tissue. Therefore, this marker is more variable with regards to animal protein consumption.
3-Methylhistidine
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