Cytoprotective Role of Edible Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis)-Derived Peptides in H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction is strongly linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. A previous study revealed that seahorse hydrolysates ameliorated oxidative stress-mediated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury. However, the responsible compounds have not yet been identified. This study aimed to identify cytoprotective peptides and to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the cytoprotective role in H2O2-induced HUVECs injury. After purification by gel filtration and HPLC, two peptides were sequenced by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry as HGSH (436.43 Da) and KGPSW (573.65 Da). The synthesized peptides and their combination (1:1 ratio) showed significant HUVECs protection effect at 100 μg/mL against H2O2-induced oxidative damage via significantly reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Two peptides and their combination treatment resulted in the increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a phase II detoxifying enzyme, through the activation of nuclear transcription factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). Additionally, cell cycle and nuclear staining analysis revealed that two peptides and their combination significantly protected H2O2-induced cell death through antiapoptotic action. Two peptides and their combination treatment led to inhibit the expression of proapoptotic Bax, the release of cytochrome C into the cytosol, the activation of caspase 3 by H2O2 treatment in HUVECs, whereas antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression was increased with concomitant downregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Taken together, these results suggest that seahorse-derived peptides may be a promising agent for oxidative stress-related cardiovascular diseases.

Antiaging Potential of Peptides from Underused Marine Bioresources

“…Recently, Oh and coworkers (2021) investigated two cytoprotective peptides, His-Gly-Ser-His and Lys-Gly-Pro-Ser-Trp, derived from seahorse ( Hippocampus abdominalis ). At 600 μM of H 2 O 2 treatment, high-level intracellular ROS in HUVECs can be detected [ 47 ] and apoptotic and necrotic cells are observed [ 48 ]. In addition, the cell survival rate of the experimental group decreased by 65.43%.…”

“…After pretreatment with 100 μg/mL of these two peptides alone or in combination, HUVECs viability was restored to 81.02%, 78.55% and 80.05% for His-Gly-Ser-His, Lys-Gly-Pro-Ser-Trp, and a 1:1 combination of the two, respectively. Surprisingly, the two peptides were not found to exhibit DPPH radical scavenging activity in vitro, suggesting that there are other avenues by which the two peptides counteract oxidative stress induced by H 2 O 2 in cells [ 47 ].…”

“…A decline of mitochondrial activity is associated with division, migration, and aging of cells, and accompanies the onset of several diseases. Very recently, multiple studies reported that several marine peptides can restore or improve mitochondrial function after damage by exposure to external stimuli such as H 2 O 2 and UV-radiation [ 45 , 47 , 99 , 100 ].…”

Bioactive Peptide F2d Isolated from Rice Residue Exerts Antioxidant Effects via Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

“…The isolated peptides were also evaluated for their protective effect on H 2 O 2 oxidative damage by MTS assay in HUVECs, and no significant difference was found between the isolated and synthesized F2d peptides. Hippocampal-derived peptides have been shown to have good cytoprotective activity [ 25 ]. F2d exhibited better cytoprotective capacity.…”

Cytoprotective Peptides from Blue Mussel Protein Hydrolysates: Identification and Mechanism Investigation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Injury

“…A high dose exposure of powerful oxidants such H 2 O 2 causes severe damage to macromolecules, which leads to cell death through apoptosis and/or necrosis mechanisms [24]. The cytoprotective activity of EPTF, FTVN, as well as their combination was evaluated by measuring the anti-apoptotic activity.…”