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Food-Derived Bioactive Peptides, Efficacy, Metabolic Fate, and Mechanisms of Action

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Proteins and Amino Acids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2024) | Viewed by 14571

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
Interests: bioactive peptide; metabolic fate; bioavailability; digestibility of peptides; human health

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Guest Editor
Department of Food & Nutritional Science, Tokyo Kasei University, 1-18-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8602, Japan
Interests: collagen peptide; imidazole dipeptide; valenin; functional food; nutritional science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive peptides are defined as short amino acid sequences with potential specific physiological functions. It has been demonstrated via animal experiments and human clinical trials that the ingestion of peptides in food protein hydrolysates and fermented foods exerts a wide spectrum of biological functions, including the suppression of metabolic risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and peroxidation) and improvement of skin, gut, oral, bone, immune and neurological functions. Some peptides in food have recently been used for therapeutic purposes, while they are classified as food. Such peptides are referred to as food-derived bioactive peptides.

These facts have encouraged researchers to identify active peptides in foods. The activity-guided fractionation based on the high throughput assays is normally used to identify active peptides. Recently, molecular docking analysis and the rapid peptide sequence technique based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were utilized for the identification of bioactive peptides in foods. However, there is a deep gap between the concentration of bioactive peptides in foods and the target organ upon ingestion of foods containing peptides, which hinders understanding the mechanisms of action underlying food-derived bioactive peptides. Recent studies have indicated that majority of peptides in foods are further cleaved into smaller peptides and amino acids by peptidases within the gastrointestinal tract, blood and tissues, while few peptides in foods are directly absorbed into the body and reach the target organ. Thus, active peptides in foods may lose potential activity via digestion. On the other hand, inactive peptides in foods may change to bioactive peptides during gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, understanding the metabolic fate of peptides in foods is crucial for identifying bioactive peptides in the body and understanding their mechanisms of action.

Thus, in this Special Issue, we aim to collect articles and review papers that provide evidence of not only the beneficial nutritional effects of bioactive peptides for human health and disease, but also the mechanisms of action based on the contents in target organs upon ingestion.

Dr. Kenji Sato
Dr. Shigemura Yasutaka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bioactive peptides
  • peptide absorption
  • oral bioavailability
  • functional foods
  • human health

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 986 KiB  
Article
Hydroxyprolyl-Glycine in 24 H Urine Shows Higher Correlation with Meat Consumption than Prolyl-Hydroxyproline, a Major Collagen Peptide in Urine and Blood
by Tomoko T. Asai, Satoshi Miyauchi, Sri Wijanarti, Ayaka Sekino, Akiko Suzuki, Sachiko Maruya, Takayo Mannari, Ai Tsuji, Kenji Toyama, Rieko Nakata, Yasunori Ogura, Hitoshi Takamura, Kenji Sato, Ribeka Takachi and Satoru Matsuda
Nutrients 2024, 16(20), 3574; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203574 - 21 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1243
Abstract
Background. Urinary collagen peptides, the breakdown products of endogenous collagen, have been used as biomarkers for various diseases. These non-invasive biomarkers are easily measured via mass spectrometry, aiding in diagnostics and therapy effectiveness. Objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate the [...] Read more.
Background. Urinary collagen peptides, the breakdown products of endogenous collagen, have been used as biomarkers for various diseases. These non-invasive biomarkers are easily measured via mass spectrometry, aiding in diagnostics and therapy effectiveness. Objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of consuming collagen-containing meat on collagen peptide composition in human blood and urine. Methods. Ten collagen peptides in 24 h urine were quantified. Results. Prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) was the most abundant peptide. Except for hydroxyprolyl-glycine (Hyp-Gly), levels of other minor collagen peptides showed high correlation coefficients with Pro-Hyp (r = 0.42 vs. r > 0.8). Notably, 24 h urinary Hyp-Gly showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.72 with meat consumption, significantly higher than the coefficient for Pro-Hyp (r = 0.37). Additionally, the levels of Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly in the blood of seven young women participants increased similarly after consuming fish meat, while before ingestion, only negligible amounts of Hyp-Gly were present. To examine which peptides are generated by the degradation of endogenous collagen, mouse skin was cultured. The amount of Pro-Hyp released from the skin was approximately 1000-fold higher than that of Hyp-Gly. Following consumption of collagen-containing meat, both Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly are released in blood and excreted into urine, although Pro-Hyp is primarily generated from endogenous collagen even under physiological conditions. Conclusions. Therefore, in 24 h urine samples, the non-negligible fraction of Pro-Hyp is contributed by endogenous collagen, making 24 h urine Hyp-Gly level a potential biomarker for evaluating meat consumption on the day. Full article
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13 pages, 1485 KiB  
Article
Milk Fat Globule Membrane-Containing Protein Powder Promotes Fitness in Caenorhabditis elegans
by Miina Pitkänen and Olli Matilainen
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2290; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142290 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1386
Abstract
Milk-derived peptides and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) have gained interest as health-promoting food ingredients. However, the mechanisms by which these nutraceuticals modulate the function of biological systems often remain unclear. We utilized Caenorhabditis elegans to elucidate how MFGM-containing protein powder (MProPow), previously [...] Read more.
Milk-derived peptides and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) have gained interest as health-promoting food ingredients. However, the mechanisms by which these nutraceuticals modulate the function of biological systems often remain unclear. We utilized Caenorhabditis elegans to elucidate how MFGM-containing protein powder (MProPow), previously used in a clinical trial, affect the physiology of this model organism. Our results demonstrate that MProPow does not affect lifespan but promotes the fitness of the animals. Surprisingly, gene expression analysis revealed that MProPow decreases the expression of genes functioning on innate immunity, which also translates into reduced survival on pathogenic bacteria. One of the innate immunity-associated genes showing reduced expression upon MProPow supplementation is cpr-3, the homolog of human cathepsin B. Interestingly, knockdown of cpr-3 enhances fitness, but not in MProPow-treated animals, suggesting that MProPow contributes to fitness by downregulating the expression of this gene. In summary, this research highlights the value of C. elegans in testing the biological activity of food supplements and nutraceuticals. Furthermore, this study should encourage investigations into whether milk-derived peptides and MFGM mediate their beneficial effects through the modulation of cathepsin B expression in humans. Full article
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15 pages, 11373 KiB  
Article
Oyster Peptides Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway
by Haixiang Guo, Wenyin Xie, Zhonghao Ji, Bingbing Wang, Wenzhi Ren, Wei Gao and Bao Yuan
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1591; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111591 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1910
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with an increasing prevalence year over year, and the medications used to treat patients with UC clinically have severe side effects. Oyster peptides (OPs) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as functional foods that can alleviate [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with an increasing prevalence year over year, and the medications used to treat patients with UC clinically have severe side effects. Oyster peptides (OPs) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as functional foods that can alleviate a wide range of inflammatory conditions. However, the application of oyster peptides in ulcerative colitis is not well studied. In this work, an animal model of acute colitis was established using 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and the impact of OP therapy on colitis in mice was examined. Supplementing with OPs prevented DSS-induced colitis from worsening, reduced the expression of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and restored the intestinal barrier damage caused by DSS-induced colitis in mice. The 16S rDNA results showed that the OP treatment improved the gut microbiota structure of the UC mice, including increasing microbial diversity, increasing beneficial bacteria, and decreasing harmful bacteria. In the UC mice, the OP therapy decreased the relative abundance of Family_XIII_AD3011_group and Prevotella_9 and increased the relative abundance of Alistipes. In conclusion, OP treatment can inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and improve the intestinal microbiota in UC mice, which in turn alleviates DSS-induced colitis, providing a reference for the treatment of clinical UC patients. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 2207 KiB  
Review
Proteins and Peptides from Food Sources with Effect on Satiety and Their Role as Anti-Obesity Agents: A Narrative Review
by Anaís Ignot-Gutiérrez, Gloricel Serena-Romero, Daniel Guajardo-Flores, Mayvi Alvarado-Olivarez, Armando J. Martínez and Elvia Cruz-Huerta
Nutrients 2024, 16(20), 3560; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203560 - 20 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2740
Abstract
Background/Objective: Obesity, clinically defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher, is a medical condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat, which can lead to adverse health consequences. As a global public health issue with an [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Obesity, clinically defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher, is a medical condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat, which can lead to adverse health consequences. As a global public health issue with an escalating prevalence, controlling appetite and satiety is essential for regulating energy balance and managing body weight. Dietary proteins and peptides have gained interest in their potential to prevent and treat obesity by modulating satiety signals. This narrative review analyzes scientific evidence highlighting the role of dietary proteins and peptides in regulating satiety signals and investigates their therapeutic potential in preventing and treating obesity. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search focused on articles examining the impact of dietary proteins and peptides on satiety and obesity, encompassing both preclinical and clinical trials. Results: Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between the intake of specific proteins or peptides from plant and animal sources and satiety regulation. These investigations identified mechanisms where amino acids and peptides interact with enteroendocrine cell receptors, activating intracellular signaling cascades that promote the release of anorexigenic gut hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY). Both in vitro and in vivo assays have shown that these interactions contribute to appetite regulation and the sensation of satiety. Conclusions: Using proteins and peptides in the diet may be an effective strategy for regulating appetite and controlling body weight. However, more research—including clinical trials—is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms better and optimize the application of these bioactive compounds in preventing and treating obesity. Full article
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17 pages, 1191 KiB  
Review
Impact of Peptide Transport and Memory Function in the Brain
by Lihong Cheng, Caiyue Shi, Xixi Li and Toshiro Matsui
Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2947; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172947 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2341
Abstract
Recent studies have reported the benefits of food-derived peptides for memory dysfunction. Beyond the physiological effects of peptides, their bioavailability to the brain still remains unclear since the blood-brain barrier (BBB) strictly controls the transportation of compounds to the brain. Here, updated transportation [...] Read more.
Recent studies have reported the benefits of food-derived peptides for memory dysfunction. Beyond the physiological effects of peptides, their bioavailability to the brain still remains unclear since the blood-brain barrier (BBB) strictly controls the transportation of compounds to the brain. Here, updated transportation studies on BBB transportable peptides are introduced and evaluated using in vitro BBB models, in situ perfusion, and in vivo mouse experiments. Additionally, the mechanisms of action of brain health peptides in relation to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, are discussed. This discussion follows a summary of bioactive peptides with neuroprotective effects that can improve cognitive decline through various mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-amyloid β aggregation, and neurotransmitter regulation. Full article
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Other

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12 pages, 455 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen as a Dietary Supplement on Fibroblast Activation: A Systematic Review
by Pedro Augusto Querido Inacio, Felipe Augusto Chaluppe, Gerson Ferreira Aguiar, Carly de Faria Coelho and Rodolfo P. Vieira
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111543 - 21 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4306
Abstract
Background: Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts. Methods: The search was conducted for journals that published articles in the English language, peer-reviewed, meeting the following criteria: (a) [...] Read more.
Background: Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts. Methods: The search was conducted for journals that published articles in the English language, peer-reviewed, meeting the following criteria: (a) randomized clinical trials, (b) randomized studies in animals or humans, (c) in vitro studies, (d) studies using hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides, and (e) studies assessing alterations on fibroblasts as the primary or secondary outcome. We utilized the main journal databases PubMed/Web of Science and ongoing reviews by PROSPERO. For bias risk and methodological quality, we used an adaptation of the Downs and Black checklist. Our review followed the PRISMA checklist, conducted from February 2024 to the first week of March 2024, by two independent researchers (P.A.Q.I. and R.P.V.). Results: Eleven studies were included in this review, where our findings reinforce the notion that hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides at concentrations of 50–500 μg/mL are sufficient to stimulate fibroblasts in human and animal tissues without inducing toxicity. Different enzymatic processes may confer distinct biological properties to collagens, allowing for scenarios favoring fibroblast promotion or antioxidant effects. Lastly, collagens with lower molecular weights exhibit greater bioavailability to adjacent tissues. Conclusions: Hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides with molecular sizes ranging from <3 to 3000 KDa promote the stimulation of fibroblasts in human tissues. Full article
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