Preparation and Hepatoprotective Activities of Peptides Derived from Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Clams (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Bioactive dipeptides mitigate high-fat and high-fructose corn syrup diet-induced metabolic-associated fatty liver disease via upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 expressions in C57BL/6J mice

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a common liver disease characterized by an abnormal buildup of fat in liver. This study aimed to investigate whether bioactive dipeptides mitigate high-fat and high-fructose corn syrup diet (HFFD)-induced MAFLD in C57BL/6J mice. Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups. The naïve group (untreated) was fed a standard chow diet and other groups were fed with HFFD along with vehicle and bioactive dipeptides treatment throughout experiment period. The control group received vehicle, YF10 and YF50 groups received Tyr-Phe, 10 and 50 mg/kg/day, FY10 and FY50 groups received Phe-Tyr, 10 and 50 mg/kg/day. At the end of experiment, body weight was recorded, and glucose homeostasis was assessed. Mice were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to measure biochemical parameters. Further, liver, visceral fat pads, and other organs were acutely dissected, weighed, and processed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical changes were analyzed. Long-term HFFD feeding resulted in elevated body weight gain, liver weight, visceral adiposity, liver injury, fasting hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia. It also increased severe hepatic steatosis, chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and lipid peroxidation. However, bioactive dipeptides dose-dependently alleviated these complications which are associated with MAFLD by modulating adipokines secretion and antioxidant defense system via upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 expressions. This study highlights potential of bioactive dipeptides as a promising approach for prevention and/or treatment of MAFLD induced by HFFD, providing novel insights into alternative therapeutic strategies.

Molecular and biotechnological characteristics of proteolytic activity from Streptococcus thermophilus as a proteolytic lactic acid bacteria to enhance protein-derived bioactive peptides

The demand for healthy food items with a high nutrient value of bioavailability and bioaccessibility has created a need for continuous development of technology and food ingredients like bioactive peptides. This study aimed to investigate seven proteolytic lactic acid bacteria (PLABs) isolated from the plaa-som (fermented fish) sample originated from silver BARB species for production of proteolytic enzymes. Proteolytic enzymes produced by (PLABs) were used further to create potent bioactive peptides by hydrolyzing proteins throughout PLAB-probiotics enhancer. Protein derived-bioactive peptides was tested the proteolytic activity on different protein sources and examined bioactivities including antioxidative and antimicrobial effect for further use in functional foods. Results of screened-PLAB strains showed high proteolytic activity namely Streptococcus thermophilus strains (KKUPA22 and KKUPK13). These strains have proteolytic system consisting of extracellular and cell-bound enzymes that used for degrading protein in fish flesh protein (FFP) and skim milk (SKM) broth media. Proteolytic activity of tested bacterial enzymes was estimated after incubation at 45, 37, and 50 °C. Furthermore, FFP hydrolysates were formed with various peptides and has small molecular weights (checked by SDS-PAGE) in the range of10.5 to 22 kDa), exhibiting strong activity. Data revealed that S. thermophilus strains (KKUPA22 and KKUPK13) had high antioxidant activity in term of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical-scavenging inhibition, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) reducing power capacity. Both strains (KKUPA22 and KKUPK13) of S. thermophilus have higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria than against Gram-positive bacteria. We have confirmed presence of proteolytic (prt) gene regions in S. thermophilus strains using specific primers via PCR amplification. Results showed highest homology (100%) with the prtS gene of S. thermophillus located on the cell envelope proteolytic enzymes (CEPEs) such as serine proteinase. Therefore, it concluded that the proteolytic system of tested PLAB strains able to generate bioactive peptides-derived proteins having active biological property, good mechanism of degradability, and bioaccessibility for further use in catalyzing protein of functional foods.

Immune Enhancement of Clam Peptides on Immunosuppressed Mice Induced by Hydrocortisone

Clam peptides, marine-derived biological peptides, have been broadly investigated and applied as health foods, among which immunomodulation is one of their biological activities that cannot be ignored in vivo. In this study, we concentrated on exploring the effects of Ruditapes philippinarum peptides (RPPs) on immunomodulation and the balance of intestinal microbiota in hydrocortisone (HC)-induced immunosuppressed mice. The results revealed that RPPs could increase the thymus and spleen indices and number of white blood cells, promote the secretion level of cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ), repair the morphology of the spleen and thymus, and enhance the proliferation of T-lymphocyte subsets in immunosuppressed mice. Moreover, RPPs improved the abundance of beneficial bacteria and preserved the ecological equilibrium of the gut microbiota. In conclusion, RPPs have significant immunomodulatory effects on immunosuppressed mice and may be developed as immunomodulators or immune adjuvants in functional foods and drugs; they are also beneficial to the utilization of the high value of marine shellfish.