Dosage of Dual-Protein Nutrition Differentially Impacts the Formation of Atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− Mice

Abstract

Atherosclerosis (AS) is recognized as the original cause of most cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The dual-protein (DP) nutrition that consists of soy protein and whey protein is reported to be associated with a reduction in AS; however, the relationship between DP and AS remains ambiguous. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the effect of DP on AS and explore the optimal DP intake to improve AS. ApoE−/− mice were administrated with low- (LDP), middle- (MDP), and high-dose (HDP) DP. The MDP group exhibited significant improvements in AS. In terms of lipid metabolism, the levels of plasma total triglyceride and LDL-C and the mRNA expression levels of Cyp7a1 and PCSK9 were markedly tuned in the MDP group. In addition, the MDP treatment group had a substantially lower inflammatory response and better intestinal barrier function than LDP and HDP groups. The species richness demonstrated by the Chao1 index was distinctly increased in the MDP group, and the relative abundance of intestinal-permeability-protective microbes Blautia and Akkermansia was significantly elevated. In summary, an adequate intake of DP was able to counteract atherosclerosis development in ApoE−/− mice, and this study provides a scientific theoretical basis for the application of DP in the food and pharmaceutical fields.

The Effect of High Pressure Homogenization on the Structure of Dual-Protein and Its Emulsion Functional Properties

“…Its high nutritional value and bioavailability play an important role in maintaining body health and promoting body growth. Most importantly, the preliminary findings demonstrated that the dual-protein had significant nutritional quality improvement in hematopoietic reconstruction, immune function, muscle level, lipid metabolism, and osteoporosis [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

The Emulsifying Properties, In Vitro Digestion Characteristics and Storage Stability of High-Pressure-Homogenization-Modified Dual-Protein-Based Emulsions

“…Its high nutritional value and bioavailability play important roles in maintaining physical health and promoting body growth. Preliminary findings demonstrated that a dual protein had significant nutritional quality improvement in hematopoietic reconstruction, immune function, muscle level, lipid metabolism, and osteoporosis [9][10][11]. Whey protein isolate (WPI) and soy protein isolate (SPI) are the main animal-plant protein ingredients in dual proteins; both have excellent functional processing properties such as emulsification, gelation and foaming, which are widely used in food processing [12,13].…”