Bioactive plant peptides have received considerable interest as potential antihypertensive agents with potentially fewer side effects than antihypertensive drugs. Here, the blood pressure-lowering effects of the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor, BTCI, and its derived peptides, PepChy and PepTry, were investigated using normotensive (Wistar-WR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). BTCI inhibited the proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively, at 6 µM and 40 µM, a 10-fold greater inhibition than observed with PepTry (60 µM) and PepChy (400 µM). These molecules also inhibited angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with IC 50 values of 54.6 ± 2.9; 24.7 ± 1.1; and 24.4 ± 1.1 µM, respectively, occluding its catalytic site, as indicated by molecular docking simulation, mainly for PepChy and PepTry. Gavage administration of BTCI and the peptides promoted a decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and an increase of renal and aortic vascular conductance. These effects were more expressive in SHR than in WR. Additionally, BTCI, PepChy and PepTry promoted coronary vasodilation and negative inotropic effects in isolated perfused hearts. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor blunted the BTCI and PepChy, with no cardiac effects on PepTry. The findings of this study indicate a therapeutic potential of BTCI and its related peptides in the treatment of hypertension.

Avaliação do uso do resíduo farelo de babaçu (Orbignya sp) na alimentação de ruminantes* Evaluation of use of waste meal babassu (Orbignya sp) in ruminant diets Évaluation de l'utilisation de farine des déchets babassu (Orbignya sp) dans l'alimentation des ruminants Evaluación del uso de residuo la harina de babasú (Orbignya sp) en la dieta de los rumiantes

A procura por alternativas alimentares regionais que contribuam com a redução do custo na produção de ruminantes motivou avaliar o valor nutricional do farelo de babaçu em níveis crescentes na dieta. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Concluiu-se que esse farelo apresenta um valor nutricional relativamente baixo para a alimentação de ruminantes. Sua utilização não deve exceder a 20% da IMS.