Bovine lactoferrin pepsin hydrolysate exerts inhibitory effect on angiotensin I-converting enzyme-dependent vasoconstriction

The inhibitory effect of a pepsin hydrolysate of bovine lactoferrin (LFH) on angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) has been examined using in vitro and ex vivo functional assays. In vitro assays showed a LFH inhibitory effect on ACE activity with an IC50 value of 0.95±0.06 mg mL−1. Ex vivo functional assays using rabbit carotid artery segments showed a LFH inhibitory effect on ACE-dependent angiotensin I-induced contraction, but not on angiotensin II-induced contraction, suggesting that the effect of LFH is not due to antagonism of receptors for angiotensin II. LFH was shown to possess ACE inhibitory effect with potential to modulate hypertension, although the possible inhibitory effect of LFH on angiotensinases deserves further research.