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Food-derived peptides and intestinal functions.
1Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. ams316@mail.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|April 14, 2007
Summary
Dietary peptides can influence gut health by regulating nutrient absorption and modulating intestinal cell functions. Some peptides, like carnosine, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, promoting gut health and potentially preventing disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition Science
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The intestines play crucial roles in nutrient absorption, metabolism, and defense against pathogens.
- Dietary peptides, though often hydrolyzed, can exert physiological effects after absorption.
- The intestines are a target for functional peptides that modulate their functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diverse roles of intestine-modulatory peptides.
- To categorize peptides based on their site of action within the intestinal tract.
- To highlight the potential of these peptides in functional foods for disease prevention and gut health promotion.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing research on dietary and intestine-modulatory peptides.
- Classification of peptides based on their functional mechanisms (e.g., nutrient absorption, cell function modulation).
- In vitro studies on specific peptides like carnosine (beta-Ala-His) and their effects on inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-8).
Main Results:
- Intestine-modulatory peptides are categorized into those acting within the tract and those modulating epithelial cells.
- Examples include casein phosphopeptides enhancing mineral absorption and soybean peptides suppressing cholesterol absorption.
- Carnosine demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing IL-8 secretion in human intestinal cells.
Conclusions:
- Intestine-modulatory peptides offer significant potential for enhancing gut health and preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
- Functional peptides can regulate nutrient absorption, immune responses, and intestinal motility.
- Further research into these peptides could lead to novel functional food ingredients.
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