Transport of ACE Inhibitory Peptides Ile-Gln-Pro and Val-Glu-Pro Derived from Spirulina platensis Across Caco-2 Monolayers

Evaluating intestinal absorption of peptide Met-Lys-Pro in casein hydrolysate using Caco-2 and human iPS cell-derived small intestinal epithelial cells

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our previous study confirmed that daily intake of casein hydrolysate that contained Met-Lys-Pro (MKP) can safely lower mildly elevated blood pressure. The present study aimed to evaluate the intestinal absorption differences between peptide MKP as a casein hydrolysate and synthetic MKP alone using Caco-2 cells and human iPS cell-derived small intestinal epithelial cells (hiSIECs). MKP was transported intact through Caco-2 cells and hiSIECs with permeability coefficient (Papp) values of 0.57 ± 0.14 × 10-7 and 1.03 ± 0.44 × 10-7 cm/s, respectively. This difference in Papp suggests differences in the tight junction strength and peptidase activity of each cell. Moreover, the transepithelial transport and residual ratio of intact MKP after adding casein hydrolysate containing MKP was significantly higher than that after adding synthetic MKP alone, suggesting that other peptides in casein hydrolysate suppressed MKP degradation and increased its　transport. These findings suggest that hiSIECs could be useful for predicting the human intestinal absorption of bioactive peptides; ingesting MKP as a casein hydrolysate may also improve MKP bioavailability.

Intestinal absorption of bioactive oligopeptides: paracellular transport and tight junction modulation

Bioactive oligopeptides have gained increasing attention due to their diverse physiological functions, and these can be transported into the vasculature via transcellular and paracellular pathways. Among these, paracellular transport through the intercellular space is a passive diffusion process without energy consumption. It is currently the most frequently reported absorption route for food-derived bioactive oligopeptides. Previous work has demonstrated that paracellular pathways are mainly controlled by tight junctions, but the mechanism by which they regulate paracellular absorption of bioactive oligopeptides remains unclear. In this review, we summarized the composition of paracellular pathways across the intercellular space and elaborated on the paracellular transport mechanism of bioactive oligopeptides in terms of the interaction between oligopeptides and tight junction proteins, the protein expression level of tight junctions, the signaling pathways regulating intestinal permeability, and the properties of oligopeptides themselves. These findings contribute to a more profound understanding of the paracellular absorption of bioactive oligopeptides.

Investigation of the Elemental Contents, Functional and Nutraceutical Properties of Kefirs Enriched with Spirulina platensis, an Eco-friendly and Alternative Protein Source

In this study, the effect of the use of S. platensis, which is presented as an eco-friendly and alternative protein source, in the production of kefir, a probiotic dairy product, on various physicochemical properties as well as FAA, ACE inhibitory activity, proteolysis, TPC, DPPH, ABTS+, and mineral values was investigated. It was observed that the addition of S. platensis at different ratios to the kefir samples had a statistically very significant (p < 0.01) effect on all physicochemical analyses; L. mesenteroides count; all amino acids except isoleucine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid; ACE inhibitory activity, TN, TCAN, TCAN/TN, mM Gly, TPC, DPPH, ABTS+, Na, Mg, K, and Fe. In plain kefir samples, mineral contents were determined by order of K > P > Na > Ca > Mg > Zn >> Fe > Cr > Cr > Mn. Furthermore, a general increase was observed in FAA, ACE inhibitory activity, TPC, DPPH, ABTS+, and mineral values, as well as in the counts of Lactococcus spp. and L. mesenteroides in the samples, depending on the proportion of S. platensis added, compared to plain kefir samples. In this context, it was concluded that the addition of S. platensis to kefir at different rates could meet various components required by the body on a daily basis and result in a nutraceutical product.

Understanding the Transepithelial Transport and Transbilayer Diffusion of the Antihypertensive Peptide Asn-Cys-Trp: Insights from Caco-2 Cell Monolayers and the DPPC Model Membrane

Understanding the transport mechanism of the peptide Asn-Cys-Trp (NCW) is crucial to improving its intestinal absorption and bioavailability. This study investigated the absorption of NCW through Caco-2 cell monolayers and its interaction with the DPPC bilayers. Results revealed that after a 3 h incubation, the Papp (AP-BL) and Papp (BL-AP) values of NCW at a concentration of 5 mmol/L were (22.24 ± 4.52) × 10-7 and (6.63 ± 2.31) × 10-7 cm/s, respectively, with the transport rates of 1.59 ± 0.32 and 0.62 ± 0.20%, indicating its moderate absorption. NCW was found to be transported via PepT1 and paracellular transport pathways, as evidenced by the significant impact of Gly-Pro and cytochalasin D on the Papp values. Moreover, NCW upregulated ZO-1 mRNA expression. Further investigation of the ZO-1-mediated interaction between NCW and tight junction proteins will contribute to a better understanding of the paracellular transport mechanism of NCW. The interaction between NCW and the DPPC bilayers was predominantly driven by entropy. NCW permeated the bilayers through electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, resulting in increased fluidity, flexibility, and disorder as well as phase transition and phase separation of the bilayers.

Beneficial Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases

In recent decades, as a result of rising mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), there has been a growing urgency to find alternative approaches to conventional pharmaceutical treatment to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina, is a blue-green cyanobacterium, classified as a "superfood", used worldwide as a nutraceutical food supplement due to its remarkable nutritional value, lack of toxicity, and therapeutic effects. Several scientific studies have evaluated the cardioprotective role of Spirulina. This article presents a comprehensive review of the therapeutic benefits of Spirulina in improving cardio- and cerebrovascular health. It focuses on the latest experimental and clinical findings to evaluate its antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic properties. The objective is to highlight its potential in preventing and managing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Identification of novel angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from Pacific saury: In vivo antihypertensive effect and transport route

Nature food-derived angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides (ACEIPs) can be potent and safe therapeutics for many medical illnesses, particularly hypertension. In this study, novel ACEIPs were screened and identified from Pacific saury by bio-activity guided approach through ultrafiltration membrane, Sephadex G-25 and RP-HPLC. The antihypertensive effect of ultrafiltration fraction was confirmed with spontaneous hypertensive rats' (SHRs) model. The peptides sequences of which gave the best activity was identified by Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS and selectively synthesized based on the binding energy of molecular docking. Five peptides VVLASLK, LTLK, LEPWR, ELPPK and LPTEK were synthesized, and the peptide LEPWR (IC50 = 99.5 μM) showed the best ACE inhibitory ability. Furthermore, LEPWR against ACE in a mixed competitive pattern and formed six hydrogen bonds with ACE. Additionally, the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of LEPWR was 3.56 ± 0.14 × 10-6 cm/s and paracellular transport across tight junctions was the main pathway across the Caco-2 monolayer. Therefore, the Pacific saury is a good material to prepare ACEIPs, but antihypertensive mechanism of peptide LEPWR on SHRs needs further investigation.

Transport of Biologically Active Ultrashort Peptides Using POT and LAT Carriers

Ultrashort peptides (USPs), consisting of 2–7 amino-acid residues, are a group of signaling molecules that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis under normal conditions in various diseases and ageing. USPs serve as a basis for the development of drugs with a targeted mechanism of action. The purpose of this review is to systematize the available data on USP transport involving POT and LAT transporters in various organs and tissues under normal, pathological and ageing conditions. The carriers of the POT family (PEPT1, PEPT2, PHT1, PHT2) transport predominantly di- and tripeptides into the cell. Methods of molecular modeling and physicochemistry have demonstrated the ability of LAT1 to transfer not only amino acids but also some di- and tripeptides into the cell and out of it. LAT1 and 2 are involved in the regulation of the antioxidant, endocrine, immune and nervous systems’ functions. Analysis of the above data allows us to conclude that, depending on their structure, di- and tripeptides can be transported into the cells of various tissues by POT and LAT transporters. This mechanism is likely to underlie the tissue specificity of peptides, their geroprotective action and effectiveness in the case of neuroimmunoendocrine system disorders.

An evidence of microalgal peptides to target spike protein of COVID-19: In silico approach

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected millions of lives and it is one of the deadliest viruses ever known and the effort to find a cure for COVID-19 has been very high. The purpose of the study was to investigate the anti-COVID effect from the peptides derived from microalgae. The peptides from microalgae exhibit antimicrobial, anti-allergic, anti-hypersensitive, anti-tumor and immune-modulatory properties. In the In silico study, 13 cyanobacterial specific peptides were retrieved based on the extensive literature survey and their structures were predicted using Discovery Studios Visualizer. The spike protein of the novel COVID19 was retrieved from PDB (6LU7) and further molecular docking was done with the peptides through CDOCKER. The five peptides were bound clearly to the spike protein (SP) and their inhibitory effect towards the SP was promising among 13 peptides were investigated. Interestingly, LDAVNR derived from S.maxima have excellent binding and interaction energy showed -113.456 kcal/mol and -71.0736 kcal/mol respectively to target SP of COVID. The further investigation required for the in vitro confirmation of anti-COVID from indigenous microalgal species for the possible remedy in the pandemic.

Characterization of DPP-IV Inhibitory Peptides Using an In Vitro Cell Culture Model of the Intestine

Here, we characterize the activities of two depeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides, VLATSGPG and LDKVFER, using the Caco-2 monolayer model for the intestine. VLATSGPG and LDKVFR inhibited the DPP-IV in the cells via a mixed-type inhibition mode, with in situ IC₅₀ values of 207.3 and 148.5 μM, respectively. Furthermore, VLATSGPG and LDKVFR were transported intact across the cells, with P_app values of 2.41 ± 0.16 and 4.23 ± 0.29 × 10^-7 cm/s, respectively. Fragmented peptides were identified in the basolateral side of the membrane. Two of these, GPG and VLA, exhibited high inhibitory activities of 83.6 ± 3.3 and 58.5 ± 2.5%, respectively, at 100 μM concentration. Although 3 mM VLATSGPG and LDKVFR were transported across the epithelium in a concentration-dependent manner, their transport did not damage the tight junction proteins, ZO-1 and occludin. This study demonstrates that the two peptides potentially regulate DPP-IV activity in the intestine.

Activity and bioavailability of food protein-derived angiotensin-I-converting enzyme-inhibitory peptides

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides are able to inhibit the activity of ACE, which is the key enzymatic factor mediating systemic hypertension. ACE-inhibitory peptides can be obtained from edible proteins and have the function of antihypertension. The amino acid sequences and the secondary structures of ACE-inhibitory peptides determine the inhibitory activities and stability. The resistance of ACE-inhibitory peptides to digestive enzymes and peptidase affect their antihypertensive bioactivity in vivo. In this paper, the mechanism of ACE-inhibition, sources of the inhibitory peptides, structure-activity relationships, stability during digestion, absorption and transportation of ACE-inhibitory peptides, and consumption of ACE-inhibitory peptides are reviewed, which provide guidance to the development of new functional foods and production of antihypertensive nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Prospective options of algae-derived nutraceuticals as supplements to combat COVID-19 and human coronavirus diseases

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that has created huge trepidation worldwide, has a mortality rate of 0.5% to 1% and is growing incessantly. There are currently no therapies and/or vaccines that may help abate this viral disease, but the use of masks and social distancing can limit the spread. Boosting immunity has been a simple way to resist viral infection and limit fatalities. In this context, the use of nutraceuticals appears to be a potential panacea. The ability of algae-based nutraceuticals, mainly Spirulina, to boost immunity against viral diseases has already been reported clinically. Spirulina-based nutraceuticals boost the adaptive and innate immunity, and bioactive compounds, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor peptides, phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides, and calcium-Spirulan, can serve as antiviral agents. The presence of these molecules indicates its potential role in resisting infection and COVID-19 disease progression. This review focuses on the potential role of algal nutraceuticals as immune boosters to combat the human coronavirus and other viral diseases. The potential use of Spirulina-based nutraceuticals for combating COVID-19, its mechanism, and future directions have also been discussed.

Current Evidence on the Bioavailability of Food Bioactive Peptides

Food protein-derived bioactive peptides are recognized as valuable ingredients of functional foods and/or nutraceuticals to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, although peptides have been demonstrated to exert multiple benefits by biochemical assays, cell culture, and animal models, the ability to translate the new findings into practical or commercial uses remains delayed. This fact is mainly due to the lack of correlation of in vitro findings with in vivo functions of peptides because of their low bioavailability. Once ingested, peptides need to resist the action of digestive enzymes during their transit through the gastrointestinal tract and cross the intestinal epithelial barrier to reach the target organs in an intact and active form to exert their health-promoting properties. Thus, for a better understanding of the in vivo physiological effects of food bioactive peptides, extensive research studies on their gastrointestinal stability and transport are needed. This review summarizes the most current evidence on those factors affecting the digestive and absorptive processes of food bioactive peptides, the recently designed models mimicking the gastrointestinal environment, as well as the novel strategies developed and currently applied to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of peptides.

Pharmacokinetics and Transport of an Osteogenic Dodecapeptide

A dodecapeptide with the amino acid sequence of IEELEEELEAER (PIE), identified from Mytilus edulis proteolysis hydrolysates, has shown good bone-forming activity in previous studies. The pharmacokinetics and transport of the PIE peptide in vivo or in vitro were investigated in this study. The results showed that the PIE peptide can be transported into monolayer Caco-2 cells, and the PIE peptide was identified in the serum after the mice reached the highest value of 173.60 ± 60.30 ng/mL, in which it was quantified by an optimized mass spectrometry method. In addition, the PIE peptide has a promoting effect on the bone morphogenetic protein pathway at the gene and protein levels. According to the distribution of PIE-FITC in ovariectomized mice after orally administrated PIE-FITC, it was confirmed that it can enter the gastrointestinal tract and serum, and reach the bones. Taken together, the PIE peptide can be absorbed well both in vitro and in vivo, and it could promote pre-osteoblast differentiation factors.

Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies on the interaction of phycocyanobilin with peptide moieties of C-phycocyanin

The binding of C-phycocyanin (CPC), a light harvesting pigment with phycocyanobilin (PCB), a chromophore is instrumental for the coloration and bioactivity. In this study, structure-mediated color changes of CPC from Spirulina platensis during various enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated based on UV-visible, circular dichroism, infra-red, fluorescence, mass spectrometry, and molecular docking. CPC was hydrolyzed using 7.09 U/mg protein of each enzyme at their optimal hydrolytic conditions for 3 h as follows: papain (pH 6.6, 60 °C), dispase (pH 6.6, 50 °C), and trypsin (pH 7.8, 37 °C). The degree of hydrolysis was in the order of papain (28.4%) > dispase (20.8%) > trypsin (7.3%). The sequence of color degradation rate and total color difference (ΔE) are dispase (82.9% and 40.37), papain (72.4% and 24.70), and trypsin (58.7% and 25.43). The hydrolyzed peptides were of diverse sequence length ranging from 8 to 9 residues (papain), 7-12 residues (dispase), and 9-63 residues (trypsin). Molecular docking studies showed that key amino acid residues in the peptides interacting with chromophore. Amino acid residues such as Arg86, Asp87, Tyr97, Asp152, Phe164, Ala167, and Val171 are crucial in hydrogen bonding interaction. These results indicate that the color properties of CPC might associate with chromopeptide sequences and their non-covalent interactions.

Current genetic engineering strategies for the production of antihypertensive ACEI peptides

Hypertension is a major and highly prevalent risk factor for various diseases. Among the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive first-line drugs are synthetic angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). However, since  their use in hypertension therapy has been linked to various side effects, interest in the application of food-derived ACEI peptides (ACEIp) as antihypertensive agents is rapidly growing. Although promising, the industrial production of ACEIp through conventional methods such as chemical synthesis or enzymatic hydrolysis of food proteins has been proven troublesome. We here provide an overview of current antihypertensive therapeutics, focusing on ACEI, and illustrate how biotechnology and bioengineering can overcome the limitations of ACEIp large-scale production. Latest advances in ACEIp research and current genetic engineering-based strategies for heterologous production of ACEIp (and precursors) are also presented. Cloning approaches include tandem repeats of single ACEIp, ACEIp fusion to proteins/polypeptides, joining multivariate ACEIp into bioactive polypeptides, and producing ACEIp-containing modified plant storage proteins. Although bacteria have been privileged ACEIp heterologous hosts, particularly when testing for new genetic engineering strategies, plants and microalgae-based platforms are now emerging. Besides being generally safer, cost-effective and scalable, these "pharming" platforms can perform therelevant posttranslational modifications and produce (and eventually deliver) biologically active protein/peptide-based antihypertensive medicines.

Spirulina for the food and functional food industries

Humans are no strangers to the consumption of microalgae as already in the sixteenth century Spirulina was harvested from Lake Texcoco and consumed in markets in Tenochtitlan (today Mexico City). Nowadays, microalgae are being incorporated into many food formulations. Most of these use microalgae as a marketing strategy or as a colouring agent. However, Spirulina (and compounds derived thereof) show potential for being used as ingredients in the development of novel functional foods, which are one of the top trends in the food industry. Several human intervention studies demonstrated the potential of Spirulina for being used in the prevention or treatment of disorders related to metabolic syndrome. The aim of the current paper was to review current and potential applications of this microalga in the food and functional food industries. Health benefits associated with consuming Spirulina and/or some of the most important compounds derived from Spirulina were also discussed.

Recent Advances in Microalgae Peptides: Cardiovascular Health Benefits and Analysis

There is now great interest in food protein hydrolysates and food-derived peptides, because they may provide numerous health benefits. Among other foodstuffs, microalgae appear to be sustainable sources of proteins and bioactive peptides that can be exploited in foods and functional formulations. This review considers protein hydrolysates and individual peptides that may be relevant in cardiovascular disease prevention because they mimic the functions of mediators involved in pathologic processes that represent relevant risk factors for cardiovascular disease development, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and oxidative status. Some of these peptides are also multifunctional (i.e., they offer more than one benefit). Moreover, the most efficient techniques for protein extraction and hydrolyzation are commented on, as well as the best methodologies for high-throughput detection and quantification. Finally, current challenges and critical issues are discussed.

Transport Versus Hydrolysis: Reassessing Intestinal Assimilation of Di- and Tripeptides by LC-MS/MS Analysis

SCOPE

The role of PEPT1 in the uptake of intact peptides as compared to hydrolysis prior to uptake of their constituents is unknown. Here, dipeptides, tripeptides, and amino acids are quantified to study the fate of selected peptides in different intestinal models.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An LC-MS/MS-based method is applied for the simultaneous assessment of rates of hydrolysis and transport of a peptide panel in Caco-2 transwell cell culture, in vitro and in vivo in mice expressing or lacking PEPT1, and in hydrolysis studies in vitro using human intestinal samples. It is shown that susceptibility to hydrolysis of peptides at the brush border membrane or within epithelial cells is practically identical in all tested models and strictly structure-dependent. Peptides with high luminal disappearance show substantial hydrolysis and low basolateral appearance, while peptides with low disappearance show strong PEPT1 dependency and high basolateral appearance in intact form in Caco-2 transwell culture.

CONCLUSION

Hydrolysis and transport of intact peptides are highly variable and structure-dependent. For peptides possessing less polar N-terminal residues, hydrolysis usually dominates over transport via PEPT1. For other peptides with high intrinsic hydrolysis resistance, including anserine, carnosine, ɣ-glutamyl-dipeptides, and aminocephalosporins, PEPT1 is the main determinant for appearance in peripheral blood.