Protective effects of bioactive peptides in foxtail millet protein hydrolysates against experimental colitis in mice

It is of great significance to develop a dietary intervention strategy to prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A millet-rich diet can ameliorate IBD, but the active ingredients and mechanisms remain to be studied. Our results showed that the oral administration of foxtail millet protein hydrolysates (FMPH) reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score and improved the colon symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. FMPH reduced the serum LPS level, increased intestinal ZO-1 and occludin expression, inhibited NF-kappa B phosphorylation, and reduced the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6. Further, FMPH inhibited Th17 cell differentiation, and inhibited inflammasome activation and IL-1 beta expression through the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway. The results on Caco-2 cells confirmed the role of FMPH on tight junction and inflammasomes activation. A total of 2620 peptides were identified in FMPH by UPLC-MS/MS, of which 22 peptides were predicted as potential biopeptides, and the key sequences were LPF, ANP, PY, YW, and IPP. This study supports the effect of a diet rich in millet on the improvement of IBD and provides a scientific basis for the use of millet protein as a functional food to improve intestinal inflammation.

Automated summary

Developing a dietary intervention strategy to prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is of great significance. A study found that foxtail millet protein hydrolysates (FMPH) can improve colitis and reduce disease activity index scores through various mechanisms, including reducing endotoxin levels, increasing tight junction protein expression in the intestines, inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting immune cell differentiation, and suppressing inflammasome activation. The study also identified potential biopeptides in millet protein, providing a scientific basis for its use as a functional food to improve intestinal inflammation.