Towards the management of hypertension: Modulation of the renin-angiotensin system by food protein hydrolysates and peptides

Abstract

In response to the side effects of antihypertensive drugs, dietary and lifestyle modification approaches have become alternative strategies for prevention and modulation of mild hypertension. Moreover, the use of low molecular size bioactive peptides (BAPs) as antihypertensive agents has gained particular attention as a result of the safety, low cost, and consumer preference for natural health products compared to drugs. BAPs are produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of food proteins followed by post-hydrolysis processing to fractionate the active peptides. Antihypertensive BAPs exert their effect mostly by modulating the renin-angiotensin system pathway leading to decrease in vasoactive peptides with concomitant reduction of elevated blood pressure associated with hypertension in animal models and humans. This review revisits the prevalence of hypertension and the molecular basis of activity, bioavailability and safety of BAPS as well as contradictions and controversies on the use of peptides as antihypertensive agents.