CYCLO(-HIS-PRO)

In this study, we attempted to enrich cyclo-His-Pro (CHP) using enzymatic hydrolysis of yeast and to evaluate the functionality of yeast hydrolysate (YH)-enriched CHP. Flavourzyme offered a better performance in enhancing CHP content than other proteases. The CHP enrichment conditions were optimized as follows: addition of 1% Flavourzyme, 48-h incubation at 60°C, and pH 6.0. The CHP content significantly increased by 20-fold after ultra-filtration (UF). Maximal CHP translation was obtained after heating for 8 h at 50°C and pH 7.0. YH showed poor foaming capacity between pH 3.0 to 9.0. The emulsifying activities of YHs were slightly higher at near acidic pH. Increase in heating temperature and time resulted in decreased CHP content. The results indicate that YH is more heat stable after UF. Therefore, the CHP in YH after UF can be used as a food additive with physiological CHP activity and high heat stability.

Cyclo(His-Pro) is an endogenous cyclic dipeptide that exerts oxidative damage protection by selectively activating the transcription factor Nrf2 signalling pathway. Given the existence of a tight interplay of the Nrf2/NF-κB systems and that the pro-inflammatory response is governed by transcription factor NF-κB, here we sought to investigate whether and how cyclo(His-Pro) interferes with the cross-talk between the antioxidant Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 and the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathways. By knocking down the Nrf2 gene, we confirmed that cyclo(His-Pro) inhibits NF-κB nuclear accumulation induced by paraquat in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells via the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway. The protection required functional heme oxygenase-1 activity, since zinc protoporphyrin IX, a heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor, prevented NF-κB inhibition, and the presence of exogenous carbon monoxide and bilirubin afforded cytoprotection against paraquat-induced toxicity by preventing NF-κB activation.

There has been an unprecedented worldwide rise in non-communicable metabolic diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. While modern pharmacotherapy has decreased the mortality in the existing population, it has failed to stem the rise. Furthermore, a large segment of the world population cannot afford expensive pharmacotherapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for inexpensive preventive measures to control the rise in CVD and diabetes and associated co-morbidities. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of food bioactives in prevention of NCDs. To this end, we have critically analyzed the possible utility of three classes of food bioactives: (a) resistant starch, a metabolically resistant carbohydrate known to favorably modulate insulin secretion and glucose metabolism; (b) cyclo (His-Pro), a food-derived cyclic dipeptides; and (c) polyphenol-rich berries. Finally, we have also briefly outlined the strategies needed to prepare these food-bioactives for human use.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We examined the hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of yeast hydrolysate (YH) enriched with Cyclo-His-Pro (CHP) in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model.