Bovine α-lactalbumin-derived peptides attenuate TNF-α-induced insulin resistance and inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through inhibiting JNK and NF-κB signaling

Food Funct. 2022 Feb 21;13(4):2323-2335. doi: 10.1039/d1fo01217g.

Abstract

Bioactive peptides in bovine α-lactalbumin were isolated and identified, and the effects and mechanisms of peptide KILDK on insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated. Mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with TNF-α to induce insulin resistance. Bovine α-lactalbumin hydrolysates (α-LAH) were subjected to stimulated gastrointestinal digestion and Caco-2 absorption, and GD-α-LAH and CA-α-LAH were obtained. Our results demonstrated that α-LAH, GD-α-LAH, and CA-α-LAH increased glucose uptake, enhanced Akt phosphorylation (Ser473), and decreased IRS-1 phosphorylation (Ser307) in insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Gel filtration chromatography and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS) were used to separate and identify bioactive peptides. The identified peptide KILDK attenuated insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which was attributed to the suppression of JNK phosphorylation (Thr183/Tyr185). Moreover, KILDK downregulated pro-inflammatory genes through blocking NF-κB signaling. Our findings suggested that bovine α-LAH might be a potential ingredient against insulin resistance.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells / drug effects
  • Cattle
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Lactalbumin / pharmacology*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Lactalbumin
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4