Protein digestion and energy homeostasis: How generated peptides may impact intestinal hormones?

The aim of the present study is to investigate how peptides released by gastrointestinal (GI) digestion of one dietary protein can interact with regulating processes of food intake. An in vitro GI digestion of bovine haemoglobin was carried out and the bioactivity of the digests on CCK and GLP-1 secretion and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) activity was measured. Intestinal digests exhibited the most potent action on gut hormone release and DPP-IV activity inhibition. They also had the ability to promote hormone gene expression. As a conclusion, two fractions from final intestinal digest led to the greatest GLP-1 secretion increase and DPP-IV activity inhibition. These findings could be very useful in obesity and T2D management research.