A novel angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide from walnut (Juglans sigillata) protein hydrolysates and its evaluation in Ang II-induced HUVECs and hypertensive rats.

This study aims to seek angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEi) peptides from walnut using different enzymatic hydrolysis, and further to validate the potent ACEi peptides identified and screened via peptidomics and in silico analysis against hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Results showed that walnut protein hydrolysate (WPH) prepared by combination of alcalase and simulated gastrointestinal digestion exhibited high ACEi activity. WPH was separated via Sephadex-G25, and four peptides were identified, screened and verified based on their PeptideRanker score, structural characteristic and ACE inhibition. Interestingly, FDWLR showed the highest ACEi activity with IC50 value of 8.02 µg/mL, which might be related to its close affinity with ACE observed in molecular docking. Subsequently, high absorption and non-toxicity of FDWLR was predicted via in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity. Furthermore, FDWLR exhibited positively vasoregulation in Ang II-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and great blood pressure lowering effect in SHRs.

Isolation, taste characterization and molecular docking study of novel umami peptides from Lactarius volemus (Fr.).

This study aimed to understand the tasty flavor of wild Lactarius volemus (Fr.). The umami peptides from its aqueous extraction were purified by ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Sensory evaluation was used to identify the peptide fraction with the intense umami taste, and the peptides in the fraction were identified. Four umami peptides, namely EVAEALDAPKTT, AVLEEAQKVELK, AEDLSTLR, and KVDVDSLK, were virtually selected by molecular docking and umami taste active fragment frequency. The sensory evaluation and electronic tongue revealed that four screened peptides had umami taste features with umami identification thresholds in the range of 0.0625-0.250 mg/mL. Molecular docking results showed that the four umami peptides could be embedded into the binding pocket of the taste receptor T1R3 cavity. The major interactions forces were hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, and the key sites for T1R3 binding were Glu217, Glu148, and Glu45.

Agreement comparison between home and clinic blood pressure measurements in 200 Chinese participants.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the agreement, mean difference, prevalence, and control rates of arterial hypertension between clinic (i.e. office) and home blood pressure (BP) measurements in a general population. Variations in home BP between morning and evening measurements and the dynamic changes during 7 days of measurements were also examined. METHODS: A total of 200 participants were selected from three communities in the Beijing area. Patients underwent a clinical interview and measurement of both clinic and home BP. Thresholds for elevated clinic and home BP were defined as at least 140/90 and 135/85 mmHg. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic BP measured at clinic was higher than at home; the mean difference was 3.1/1.6 mmHg in all participants and 6.2/1.1 mmHg in hypertensive patients. With home BP monitoring, the first day of monitoring showed the highest and most varied (as reflected by standard deviation) BP readings. Home diastolic BP was significantly higher in the morning (76.6 ± 10.1 mmHg) than in the evening (74.2 ± 9.8 mmHg, P<0.0001), but home systolic BP was not. The prevalence of hypertension was higher when estimated by clinic versus by home BP (53.0 vs. 39.6%, P=0.025); and the control rate of hypertension tended to be lower when estimated by clinic versus by home BP (56.1 vs. 64.1%, P=0.24). The overall agreement between clinic and home BP in diagnosis of hypertension was 80.3% (κ coefficient: 0.6). CONCLUSION: The present study in 200 Chinese demonstrates that BP is higher (a) at the clinic setting compared with at home and (b) on the first day of initiating home BP monitoring. There is moderate agreement between clinic and home BP in diagnosing hypertension. As home BP measurements may best represent the 'true' BP level in normotensives and hypertensives, its use in clinical practice should be promoted.

Renal function in relation to three candidate genes in a Chinese population.

We recently found in a white population that the genes encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, I/D polymorphism), alpha-adducin (Gly460Trp), and aldosterone synthase (-344C/T) jointly influence renal function. We therefore investigated in a Chinese population the associations between the serum concentrations of creatinine and uric acid and these three genetic polymorphisms. We genotyped 471 ethnic Han Chinese subjects from 125 nuclear families recruited in northern China via random population sampling (75%) and at specialized hypertension clinics (25%). We performed population-based and family-based association analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT), respectively, while controlling for covariables. The participants were 39.7 years old and included 235 women (49.9%). The blood pressure measured at the subjects' homes averaged 126/80 mmHg. Mean values were 71 micromol/l for serum creatinine, 111 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) for calculated creatinine clearance, and 236 micromol/l for serum uric acid. With adjustment for covariables, GEE analyses of single genes demonstrated that serum uric acid, but not serum creatinine, was positively associated with the ACE D allele. Serum uric acid concentrations were 15.8 micromol/l (95% confidence interval 3.3-28.2) and 25.7 micromol/l (11.1-40.2) higher in DD homozygotes than in ID and II subjects, respectively. Further GEE analyses of the three genes combined showed that the association between serum uric acid and the ACE polymorphism was confined to carriers of the alpha-adducin Gly and/or aldosterone synthase C alleles. Sensitivity analyses in parents and offspring separately as well as QTDT analyses were confirmatory. Among 114 informative offspring carrying the alpha-adducin Gly allele serum uric acid was significantly and positively associated with the transmission of the ACE D allele (beta=20.7 micromol/l). In conclusion, the present study extends our previous findings on the combined effects of the three candidate genes and supports the concept that these genetic polymorphisms jointly influence renal function.

Blood pressure in relation to three candidate genes in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective analysis of a Caucasian population, we recently found that the genes encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, I/D polymorphism), alpha-adducin (Gly460Trp) and aldosterone synthase (-344C/T) jointly influence the incidence of hypertension. We therefore investigated the association between blood pressure and these three genes in a Chinese population. METHODS: We genotyped 479 Han Chinese from 125 nuclear families recruited in northern China via random sampling (approximately 75%) and at specialized hypertension clinics (approximately 25%). We performed population-based and family-based association analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and the quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT), respectively, while controlling for covariables. RESULTS: The participants included 239 (49.9%) women and 132 (27.6%) hypertensive patients, of whom 77 took antihypertensive drugs. The blood pressure, measured at the subjects' homes, averaged 126/80 mmHg. Mean values of urinary sodium, potassium and Na/K ratio were 226 mmol/day, 37 mmol/day and 6.31, respectively. In adjusted GEE analyses, systolic blood pressure was 9.3 mmHg (95% confidence interval 3.6-15.0 mmHg; P = 0.001) and 14.6 mmHg (95% confidence interval 3.4-25.8 mmHg; P = 0.01) higher in the ACE DD than II subjects among the alpha-adducin TrpTrp (n = 141) and aldosterone synthase CC (n = 33) homozygotes, respectively (P < or =0.05 for interactions of the ACE genotype with the alpha-adducin and aldosterone synthase polymorphisms). Among 40 informative offspring homozygous for the alpha-adducin Trp allele, systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with transmission of the ACE D allele (beta = 5.5 mmHg; P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The ACE I/D, alpha-adducin Gly460Trp and aldosterone synthase -344C/T polymorphisms interact to influence systolic blood pressure in Chinese, suggesting that these genes might indeed predispose to hypertension, especially in an ecogenetic context characterized by a high salt intake.