Hemp seed protein hydrolysates (HPH) were evaluated for their protective effects against muscle atrophy and for identification of bioactive peptides using both in vitro and in vivo models. Peeled hemp seeds were processed to extract oil, isolate prote...
Hemp seed protein hydrolysates (HPH) were evaluated for their protective effects against muscle atrophy and for identification of bioactive peptides using both in vitro and in vivo models. Peeled hemp seeds were processed to extract oil, isolate proteins, and produce HPH through enzymatic hydrolysis using flavourzyme. The degree of protein hydrolysis and molecular weight distribution were determined using TNBS and HPLC assay. In H2O2-treated C2C12 myoblasts, HPH normalized cellular ROS level and increased cell viability. In mice treated with dexamethasone(DEX), HPH treatment led to recovery of muscle mass and strength with normalized muscle fiber size distribution. These protective effects of HPH were associated with down regulation of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases, apoptotic proteins, and inflammatory cytokines. To identify potential bioactive peptides of HPH, we analyzed peptide composition and examined the effects of fourteen peptides on DEX-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. We found that three short peptides protected myotubes from DEX-stimulated injury and reduced the protein expressions involved in muscle degradation and apoptosis. Among them, dipeptide showed the strongest suppressive effects on the DEX-induced protein expressions. Findings of the current study suggest that HPH could mitigate muscle atrophy potentially by modulating muscle protein degradation pathways, offering a promising natural intervention for muscle.