Antihypertensive, ACE-inhibitory and vasodilator properties of an egg white hydrolysate: Effect of a simulated intestinal digestion

In previous studies we showed that the egg white hydrolysate with pepsin (HEW) and its fraction with molecular mass lower than 3000 Da (HEW < 3000) have ACE-inhibitory activity in vitro and exert antihypertensive effects after single-oral and long-term administrations to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In this paper we have simulated an intestinal digestion on HEW and HEW < 3000 and addressed its effect on their ACE-inhibitory and vasodilator activities in vitro and antihypertensive activity in vivo. The results showed that the ACE-inhibitory activity of HEW and HEW < 3000 was maintained after the simulated intestinal digestion. HEW also exerted vasodilator activity in isolated aortic rings before and after the digestion. Both activities may explain the antihypertensive effects of these products in SHR. The peptides RADHP and YPI, which were detected by RP–HPLC–MS in the hydrolysates after the action of the pancreatic enzymes, could be responsible for the antihypertensive effects. In conclusion, HEW or HEW < 3000 could be useful in the prevention and/or treatment of hypertension and other associated disorders.