2. Academic Validation
  3. Novel Potent Decameric Peptide of Spirulina platensis Reduces Blood Pressure Levels Through a PI3K/AKT/eNOS-Dependent Mechanism

Novel Potent Decameric Peptide of Spirulina platensis Reduces Blood Pressure Levels Through a PI3K/AKT/eNOS-Dependent Mechanism

  • Hypertension. 2019 Feb;73(2):449-457. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11801.
Albino Carrizzo 1,  Giulio Maria Conte 2 3,  Eduardo Sommella 2,  Antonio Damato 1,  Mariateresa Ambrosio 1,  Marina Sala 2,  Maria Carmina Scala 2,  Rita Patrizia Aquino 2,  Massimiliano De Lucia 1,  Michele Madonna 1,  Francesca Sansone 2,  Carmine Ostacolo 4,  Mario Capunzo 5,  Serena Migliarino 6,  Sebastiano Sciarretta 1 7,  Giacomo Frati 1 7,  Pietro Campiglia 2 8,  Carmine Vecchione 1 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 From the IRCCS Neuromed, Loc. Camerelle, Pozzilli (IS), Italy (A.C., A.D., M.A., M.D.L., M.M., S.S., G.F., C.V.), University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
  • 2 Department of Pharmacy (G.M.C., E.S., M.S., M.C.S., R.P.A., F.S., P.C.), University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
  • 3 PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development (G.M.C.), University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
  • 4 Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Italy (C.O.).
  • 5 Department of Medicine and Surgery (M.C., C.V.), University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
  • 6 Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (S.M.).
  • 7 Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome-Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy (S.S., G.F.).
  • 8 European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno, Italy (P.C.).
PMID: 30595120 DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11801
Abstract

Considered as a superfood of the future, Spirulina platensis matrix has been extensively used because of its beneficial effect on the management of cardiovascular diseases. However, its nutraceutical properties, bioactive compounds, and molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that S platensis matrix processed in vitro by simulated gastrointestinal digestion induces direct endothelial nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasorelaxation of resistance vessels in mice. To gain insight into the bioactive compounds responsible for this effect, we used a complex multistep peptidomic approach to fractionate the crude digest: of the 5 peptide fractions identified (A-E), only fraction E evoked vasorelaxation. High-resolution mass spectrometry-based screening revealed in E the presence of 4 main Peptides (SP3-SP6 [spirulina Peptides]), of which only SP6 (GIVAGDVTPI) exerted direct endothelium-dependent vasodilation of ex vivo vessels, an effect occurring via a PI3K (phosphoinositide-3-kinase)/Akt (serine/threonine kinase Akt) pathway converging on NO release. In vivo, administration of SP6 evoked a significant hemodynamic effect, reducing blood pressure, an action absent in eNOS (endothelial NO Synthase)-deficient mice. Of note, although lower doses of SP6 had no hemodynamic effects, it still enhanced endothelial NO vasorelaxation. Finally, in an experimental model of arterial hypertension, SP6 exerted an antihypertensive effect, improving endothelial vasorelaxation associated with enhanced serum nitrite levels. Based on our results, this novel decameric peptide may extend the possible fields of application for spirulina-derived Peptides and could be developed into a promising nonpharmacological approach for the containment of pathologies associated with vascular NO misregulation.

Keywords

blood pressure; endothelium; peptides; spirulina; vasodilation.

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