Digested protein isolate from fresh and stored Carioca beans reduced markers of atherosclerosis in oxidized LDL-induced THP-1 macrophages

• Peptides from bean digested protein isolates reduced atherosclerotic markers.
• Bean peptides inhibit markers of LOX-1 signalling pathway in THP-1 macrophages.
• Short storage did not impair anti-atherosclerotic potential of Carioca beans.

Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and its interaction with lectin type ox-LDL receptor (LOX-1) determine atherosclerosis progression. The potential of peptides from digested protein isolate (DPI) derived from fresh and stored Carioca bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to prevent ox-LDL induced inflammation in human THP-1 macrophage-like cells was examined here. BRS Pontal (PO) and BRSMG Madreperola (MP) fresh and stored for 6 months were cooked, and protein isolates were digested by pepsin–pancreatin. Peptides from stored Carioca beans decreased prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) (from 17.7 to 47%) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (12.3 to 82%). Stored MP (0.01 mg/mL) inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS). LOX-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression were reduced by peptides from all beans. Stored PO and MP digested protein isolates reduced expression of 10 cytokines related to atherosclerosis process. Peptides from Carioca beans presented anti-atherosclerotic properties comparable to simvastatin, which were related to inhibition of LOX-1, MMP-9 and ICAM-1.