Antioxidant peptides in inflammatory and endothelial function

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In addition to providing sources of amino acids for growth and maintenance, food proteins are recognized as a source of bioactive peptides that could affect human health and reduce the risk of diseases. A putative protective role of antioxidant peptides in cardiovascular diseases has been speculated but there is paucity of study to establish their protective roles. The purpose of the proposed research program is to test the hypothesis that antioxidant peptides derived from food proteins may improve endothelial function and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelium, a single layer of cells that lines the inner surface of all blood vessels and the heart, plays many crucial roles in the regulation of vascular tone, modulation of inflammation, and in the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is increasingly accepted as a common trait of essentially all cardiovascular risk factors while increased production of reactive oxygen species plays a pivotal role in determining endothelial dysfunction. This program aims to tackle the challenge by advancing our fundamental understanding on how antioxidant peptides derived from food proteins might function under physiological conditions in cells, ex vivo and in animals. Outcomes from the research program will also improve our understanding of the structure and function relationships of antioxidant peptides. Knowledge obtained from this research will help to establish the potential protective roles of antioxidant peptides in endothelial function and cardiovascular diseases, and thus facilitate the applications of antioxidant peptides as functional food or nutraceutical ingredients. With cardiovascular diseases the leading cause of death in Canada and other developed countries, such applications could have tremendous potential as part of healthy diet in reducing risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and improving the nutritional status and wellness of Canadians. The current proposal will provide valuable opportunities for training one M.Sc., two Ph.D. students and five undergraduates in the areas of structure and function relationships of bioactive peptides.