Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa) Peptides Protect Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) Against Risk Markers For Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Abstract

Dietary bioactive compounds can help to prevent CVD, a major cause of death around the world. Our objective was to investigate the cardioprotective underlying molecular mechanisms modulated by peptides produced from the Andean pseudocereal quinoa.Quinoa peptides were produced by enzymatic proteolysis and assessed for bioavailability in vitro using Caco‐2 colon monolayer cells, for their anti‐hypertensive activity, and for their protective effects against pro‐inflammatory conditions exerted by E. coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) challenge in HUVEC using standard analytical and molecular biology techniques.Results show that quinoa peptides were able to cross the CaCO‐2 colon monolayer barrier and inhibit 60% of the angiotensin converting enzyme activity. This was correlated with downregulation of the angiotensin receptor in LPS‐challenged HUVEC and reduction of reactive oxygen species down to basal levels in controls not challenged with LPS. Quinoa peptides also downregulated gene and protein levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) transcription factor and its target genes TLR‐4, TNF‐α, adhesion molecules, and interleukins. Furthermore, quinoa peptides were found to activate the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR‐γ) anti‐inflammatory transcription factor as the underlying anti‐inflammatory mechanism inhibiting NF‐κB cell signaling.These results strongly suggest the potential of quinoa peptides as a natural supplement to regulate blood pressure and prevent endothelial dysfunction, thus reducing the risk of CVD.