Whey protein hydrolysates decrease IL-8 secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated respiratory epithelial cells...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Whey proteins (WP) possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Hyperbaric pressurisation enhances WP digestibility and peptide release.
• Dietary pressurised whey supplementation improves nutritional status and systemic inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of peptides from pressurised whey (pWP) hydrolysates on CF respiratory epithelial cells.
• To determine if pWP peptides can attenuate inflammatory responses stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Main Methods:

• In vitro generation of hydrolysates from pressurised WP (pWP) and native WP (nWP).
• Testing of hydrolysates for anti-inflammatory properties by measuring IL-8 production in CF and non-CF respiratory epithelial cell lines.
• Assessment of LPS binding to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and extracellular antioxidant capacity.

Main Results:

• pWP hydrolysate demonstrated a greater suppression of LPS-stimulated IL-8 production compared to nWP hydrolysate in both cell lines.
• Neither hydrolysate affected IL-8 production induced by TNF-α or IL-1β, suggesting a specific effect on the TLR4 pathway.
• Both hydrolysates reduced LPS binding to TLR4, with pWP showing a more potent increase in extracellular antioxidant capacity.

Conclusions:

• Pressurisation enhances the anti-inflammatory properties of whey peptides.
• The suppression of IL-8 production by pWP peptides, via reduced LPS binding to TLR4 and enhanced antioxidant capacity, may contribute to clinical benefits in CF patients.