Acute ingestion of a novel whey-derived peptide improves vascular endothelial responses in healthy individuals: a randomized, placebo controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Whey protein is a potential source of bioactive peptides. Based on findings from in vitro experiments indicating a novel whey derived peptide (NOP-47) increased endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, we tested its effects on vascular function in humans.


METHODS
A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study design was used. Healthy men (n = 10) and women (n = 10) (25 +/- 5 y, BMI = 24.3 +/- 2.3 kg/m2) participated in two vascular testing days each preceded by 2 wk of supplementation with a single dose of 5 g/day of a novel whey-derived peptide (NOP-47) or placebo. There was a 2 wk washout period between trials. After 2 wk of supplementation, vascular function in the forearm and circulating oxidative stress and inflammatory related biomarkers were measured serially for 2 h after ingestion of 5 g of NOP-47 or placebo. Macrovascular and microvascular function were assessed using brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) and venous occlusion strain gauge plethysmography.


RESULTS
Baseline peak FMD was not different for Placebo (7.7%) and NOP-47 (7.8%). Placebo had no effect on FMD at 30, 60, and 90 min post-ingestion (7.5%, 7.2%, and 7.6%, respectively) whereas NOP-47 significantly improved FMD responses at these respective postprandial time points compared to baseline (8.9%, 9.9%, and 9.0%; P < 0.0001 for time x trial interaction). Baseline reactive hyperemia forearm blood flow was not different for placebo (27.2 +/- 7.2%/min) and NOP-47 (27.3 +/- 7.6%/min). Hyperemia blood flow measured 120 min post-ingestion (27.2 +/- 7.8%/min) was unaffected by placebo whereas NOP-47 significantly increased hyperemia compared to baseline (29.9 +/- 7.8%/min; P = 0.008 for time x trial interaction). Plasma myeloperoxidase was increased transiently by both NOP-47 and placebo, but there were no changes in markers inflammation. Plasma total nitrites/nitrates significantly decreased over the 2 hr post-ingestion period and were lower at 120 min after placebo (-25%) compared to NOP-47 (-18%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that supplementation with a novel whey-derived peptide in healthy individuals improves vascular function.
Ballard
Kevin D
KD
Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, 2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1110, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. kevin.ballard@uconn.edu
Bruno
Richard S
RS
Seip
Richard L
RL
Quann
Erin E
EE
Volk
Brittanie M
BM
Freidenreich
Daniel J
DJ
Kawiecki
Diana M
DM
Kupchak
Brian R
BR
Chung
Min-Yu
MY
Kraemer
William J
WJ
Volek
Jeff S
JS
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008894:Milk Proteins; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D010919:Placebos; D000067816:Whey Proteins