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Published on: January 31, 2025
Cardioprotective Peptides from Dry-Cured Ham in Primary Endothelial Cells and Human Plasma: An Omics Approach
Clara Noguera-Navarro1, Javier Stelling2, Esteban Orenes-Piñero3,4
1Preclinical Research of Bioactive Compounds and Drugs (PREBIOF), Izpisúa Lab HiTech, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Campus los Jerónimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain.
Insights
Bioactive peptides from dry-cured pork ham show antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. These natural compounds may help prevent cardiovascular diseases by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Nutraceuticals
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of mortality globally.
- There is a continuous need for novel preventive strategies against CVDs.
- Bioactive peptides (BPs) are emerging as potential therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of a mixture of four bioactive peptides (BPs) from dry-cured pork ham.
- To explore the mechanisms of action using an integrative omics approach on endothelial cells and human plasma.
- To compare the efficacy of BPs with hydroxytyrosol for vascular protection.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from healthy and gestational diabetes pregnancies with purified BPs.
- Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to identify molecular changes.
- Integrative omics approach applied to human plasma.
Main Results:
- BP treatment altered mitochondrial gene expression and downregulated inflammation and oxidative stress genes in healthy HUVECs.
- Modulation of key signaling pathways (Ras, MAPK) and phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and NF-κB.
- BP-induced modulation of lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress in human plasma, with changes in APOA1 and MMP-8 levels.
Conclusions:
- Bioactive peptides from dry-cured pork ham exhibit significant antioxidant and potential cardioprotective effects.
- The findings highlight the promise of these natural compounds as nutraceuticals for cardiovascular risk reduction.
- Integrative omics is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of BP action in vascular health.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality, driving the search for alternative preventive strategies. This study investigates the antioxidant effects, among others, of a mixture of four bioactive peptides (BPs) derived from dry-cured pork ham on endothelial cells from healthy (C-HUVECs) and gestational diabetes (GD-HUVECs) pregnancies, as well as human plasma, using an integrative omics approach. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 300 μM purified BP, followed by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. The results revealed significant alterations in mitochondrial gene expression and downregulation of genes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in healthy HUVECs. Furthermore, BP treatment modulated key signalling pathways, including Ras and MAPK, leading to changes in the phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and NF-κB, suggesting potential cardioprotective effects. The effects of BP were compared to those of the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol, highlighting their relative efficacy in vascular protection. The proteomic analysis of human plasma demonstrated BP-induced modulation of lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress with notable changes in proteins such as APOA1 and MMP-8. These natural compounds demonstrate significant preventive potential in vascular health, highlighting their promise as effective tools for reducing cardiovascular risk before the progression of the pathology. These findings emphasize the importance of integrative omics in understanding the mechanisms behind BP's effects and suggest promising applications for nutraceuticals aimed at cardiovascular protection.
