Ameliorative effect of mussel-derived ACE inhibitory peptides on spontaneous hypertension rats.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to prepare the novel mussel-derived ACE inhibitory peptides (MEPs) by enzymatic hydrolysis of Mytilus edulis and investigate their antihypertensive effects in vivo.

METHODS

After assessing the stability of MEPs in vitro, we investigated the effect of MEPs on hypertension using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Subsequently, MEPs were purified and identified by ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Our study demonstrated that MEPs could keep stable ACE inhibitory activity after treatment with heat, acid, alkali, metal ions and simulated gastrointestinal digestive fluid. Additionally, the animal experiments showed that both short-term and long-term treatment with MEPs resulted in a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in SHRs. Mechanistically, the results suggested that MEPs could reduce vascular remodeling, regulate renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and inhibit kidney and myocardial fibrosis. Finally, we isolated and identified five peptides from MEPs, with the peptide Ile-Leu-Thr-Glu-Arg showed the highest ACE inhibition rate.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate the potential use of MEPs as active components in functional foods designed to lower blood pressure.