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Effect of amaranth proteins on the RAS system. In vitro, in vivo and ex vivo assays

Santiago Suárez1, Paula Aphalo1, Gustavo Rinaldi2

  • 1Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CIDCA), Calle 47 y 116 - 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CCT La Plata-CONICET, CIC).

Food Chemistry
|November 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Amaranth peptides effectively lower blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Protection against gastrointestinal digestion enhances the antihypertensive effect of these amaranth peptides, supporting their use in functional foods.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hypertension is a significant global health concern.
  • Amaranth protein is recognized for its potential health benefits.
  • Developing natural antihypertensive agents is a key research area.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the hypotensive effect of amaranth protein/peptides on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
  • To investigate the mechanism of action of these peptides in vivo and ex vivo.
  • To evaluate the protective effect of an oil-in-water (O:W) emulsion against gastrointestinal digestion (GID) on antihypertensive peptide integrity.

Main Methods:

  • Administration of amaranth protein/peptides to spontaneously hypertensive rats.
  • In vivo and ex vivo studies to elucidate the mechanism of action.
  • Assessment of systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction.
  • Evaluation of peptide stability after gastrointestinal digestion using an O:W emulsion.

Main Results:

  • All tested amaranth peptide samples demonstrated a reduction in SBP.
  • Significant SBP reduction was observed in rats treated with emulsion (G E) and emulsion + peptide (G E+VIKP), measuring 42 ± 2 mmHg and 35 ± 2 mmHg, respectively.
  • Amaranth peptides were found to be resistant to or released after gastrointestinal digestion, retaining biological activity.

Conclusions:

  • Amaranth peptides exhibit significant antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
  • These peptides regulate SBP by interacting with plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), plasma renin, and the vascular system.
  • Amaranth protein/peptides are suitable for developing functional foods aimed at managing hypertension.
Keywords:
Amaranth proteinsAntihypertensive activityProtein hydrolysateRenin-angiotensin systemSpontaneously hypertensive rats

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