Consumption of Wheat Peptides Improves Functional Constipation: A Translational Study in Humans and Mice

Abstract

Scope: Wheat peptides (WP) are rich in glutamic acid, glutamine, and other bioactive compounds that may benefit gut function and health. This study aims to evaluate the effects of regular consumption of WP on constipation-induced complications and gut microbiota in humans and mice. Methods and results: A randomized trial of 49 functional constipation participants is conducted. The weekly amount of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) increases by 2.09 per week after WP treatment, and by 0.40 per week among the placebo group (PL). Concomitantly, the secondary outcomes show significant improvements in the quality of life-related to constipation (PAC-QOL), constipation severity, and satisfaction with the intervention. In the animal study, WP effectively alleviates constipation symptoms and affects the secretion of intestinal mobility-related neurotransmitters and gastrointestinal hormones in loperamide-induced constipation mice. Additionally, WP regulates the gene and protein expression levels of water-electrolyte metabolism and intestinal mobility. Furthermore, WP treatment decreases the abundance of several gut microbiota positively correlated to constipation (Turicibacter, Bacteroides_f_Bacteroidaceae, and Streptococcus) in mice. Conclusion: WP ameliorates constipation in humans and mice, which could be partly explained by improving water-electrolyte metabolism, boosting intestinal motility, and reshaping gut microbiota.

Plant Protein-Derived Active Peptides: A Comprehensive Review

“…Wheat, corn, and rice, known as the three major cereals of the world, are the staple foods for the vast majority of the world population and are produced in great abundance. It was found that wheat peptides have a high percentage of glutamic acid and glutamine in their amino acid composition, which may ameliorate constipation by improving water-electrolyte metabolism and promoting intestinal motility . Antioxidant peptides, anticancer peptides, and ACE inhibitory peptides were prepared from wheat germ and wheat bran, byproducts of wheat processing.…”

Exploring the material basis and mechanism of Moringa oleifera in alleviating slow transit constipation based on network pharmacology and animal models

“…At present, the exact pathogenesis of STC is not clear, and there is no effective radical cure in the clinic. Previous studies have shown that many factors are involved in the occurrence and development of STC, such as alteration of aquaporin [6][7], structural abnormality of smooth muscle cells [8], disturbance of gastrointestinal hormone secretion [9], and activation of signaling pathways [10].…”