Explore the immuno modulatory impact of pea peptides on CTX-induced immuno suppressed mice, offering potential for immune function enhancement and health benefits.

Abstract

This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of pea peptides on mice with cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression. An immunosuppressive model in mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of CTX, with groups receiving varying doses of pea peptides (low, medium, and high doses) observed over 15 days for effects on body weight, immune organ weight and morphology, white blood cell counts, splenic T lymphocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulin levels, cytokine levels, bone marrow nucleated cell counts, and DNA content. Significant improvements in these indicators were observed in the pea peptide groups compared to the model group, suggesting that pea peptides can ameliorate the immune function in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice.

Keywords:

pea peptide; bioactive peptide; cyclophosphamide; immune regulation

Introduction

Bioactive peptides are peptide compounds that benefit or play a physiological role in the biological activities of organisms, surpassing the absorption mechanisms and physiological functions of amino acids. Pea, an important crop, is a rich source of high-quality protein with a balanced amino acid ratio. Despite its potential, the development and utilization of pea protein and its hydrolysates, including pea peptides, are still limited. This experiment explores the effects of pea peptides on the immune function of CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of pea peptides.

Materials and Methods

Materials and Reagents

Pea peptide powder was prepared from pea protein through enzymatic hydrolysis, refining, spray drying, and packaging. Other materials included casein and cyclophosphamide (CTX) obtained from Sigma and Beijing Baoruijie Technology Co., Ltd.

Equipment

Equipment used in the study included electronic balances, a NIKON TE2000-S inverted fluorescence microscope, a fully automatic blood cell analyzer, a flow cytometer, and a Roche automatic biochemistry analyzer.

Experimental Animals

Healthy SPF grade female ICR mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were used. The animals were housed under controlled conditions with free access to water and food.

Experimental Design and Treatment

Mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, CTX model, and low, medium, and high doses of pea peptides. The model was established by intraperitoneal injection of CTX, and interventions with pea peptides were administered for 15 days. Various indicators were measured after the treatment period.

Results

Pea peptides did not significantly affect the body weight or immune organ indices of the immunosuppressed mice but improved the structural disorder of spleen and thymus tissues observed in the CTX model group. White blood cell counts, bone marrow nucleated cell counts, and DNA content significantly increased in pea peptide-treated groups compared to the model group. Furthermore, pea peptides elevated the levels of immunoglobulins IgG and IgM, indicating an enhancement of the humoral immune function. Pea peptides also modulated the distribution of T lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokine levels, suggesting an improvement in cellular immune function.

Discussion

Pea peptides exhibited a protective effect on the tissue structure of immune organs and enhanced the immune function of CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice through multiple mechanisms, including improving the development of immune organs, reversing bone marrow suppression, increasing immunoglobulin levels, balancing T lymphocyte subpopulations, and modulating cytokine levels. These findings suggest that pea peptides can serve as a potential immunomodulatory agent, providing a basis for their further development and application.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the immunomodulatory effects of pea peptides on CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice, highlighting their potential in improving immune function. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and the application of pea peptides in other models of immunosuppression.

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Original research by Zhang Minjia1, Liu Wenying2, Jia Fuhuai3, Liu Wei1, Zhou Yalin1, Xiong Feifei3, Yuan Yuan3, Cai Muyi2*, Xu Yajun1,4
1(Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191)
2(China Food Fermentation Industry Research Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing Protein Functional Peptide Engineering Technology Research Center, Beijing, 100015)
3(Ningbo Yufangtang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315012)
4(Beijing Key Laboratory of Food Safety Toxicology Research and Evaluation, Beijing, 100191)