Effects of collagen tripeptide supplementation on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in aging

Aging is often accompanied by chronic oxidative stress, contributing to the progression of metabolic disorders. A previous study reported that supplementation with collagen tripeptide (CTP) inhibits fatty liver and lipid hypertrophy, but the mechanism is unclear.

This study examined the effects of 12-week CTP supplementation on oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α activation, key factors in metabolic disorders in aged mice. Thirty-eight male C57BL/6J mice (58 weeks old) were assigned to 4 groups: aging control, 0.03% Gly-Pro-Hyp, 0.9% CTP, and 0.9% granulated collagen tripeptide (gCTP) supplementation. A group of young mice (YC, n = 8) served as the positive control.

The results showed that CTP and gCTP enhance antioxidant capacity by reducing thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and H₂O₂ and improving the antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. CTP also improved insulin sensitivity by increasing the expression of insulin receptors and glucose transporters in the liver and white adipose tissue. Furthermore, CTP and gCTP improved energy metabolism and mitochondrial function via AMPKα activation.

CTP supplementation is a promising intervention to mitigate comorbidities in older adults, such as obesity and fatty liver disease. CTP and gCTP supplementation may serve as functional ingredients to improve energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Their potential to reduce oxidative stress, improve insulin resistance, and enhance AMPKα expression supports their use in managing obesity and fatty liver disease, particularly in older adults.