Novel Short Peptides Enhance the Intestinal Barrier to Promote Nutrient Absorption via the JAK-STAT Pathway Based on...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Short peptides are bioactive agents with potential for gut health improvement.
• Mechanisms underlying peptide effects on intestinal barrier and nutrient absorption are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate novel short peptides from hydrolyzed chicken protein for their effects on intestinal barrier function and nutrient absorption.
• Elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in peptide-mediated gut health benefits.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic hydrolysis of chicken protein to obtain short peptides.
• Circular dichroism spectroscopy for structural analysis.
• In vitro digestion assays for gastrointestinal stability.
• In vivo studies in animal models.
• Immunofluorescence and RT-PCR for gene expression analysis.
• Transcriptomic analysis.
• Molecular simulations using AlphaFold3.

Main Results:

• Peptides exhibited stable secondary structures (α-helices, β-sheets) and high gastrointestinal stability.
• In vivo administration maintained body weight and showed no hepatotoxicity.
• Increased expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin) indicated enhanced epithelial barrier function.
• Upregulation of nutrient absorption genes (Mme, Cyp3a11) was observed.
• Activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway was identified.
• Molecular simulations predicted strong binding affinities of specific peptides to MME and CYP3A11.

Conclusions:

• Short peptides from chicken protein effectively enhance intestinal barrier integrity.
• Improved barrier function facilitates nutrient absorption.
• The JAK-STAT pathway plays a role in mediating these effects.
• These peptides hold potential for functional foods aimed at improving gut health.