Administration of Protein Hydrolysates from Anchovy (Engraulis Encrasicolus) Waste for Twelve Weeks Decreases Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Severity in ApoE–/–Mice

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) includes several diseases, ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Fish-rich diets are considered helpful in the prevention of MAFLD, and the enzymatic hydrolysis of fish waste has been explored as a means of obtaining high-value protein hydrolysates, which have been proven to exert beneficial bioactivities including anti-obesity and hypocholesterol effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of the administration of protein hydrolysates from anchovy waste (APH) for 12 weeks on attenuated high-fat diet-induced MAFLD in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice (ApoE–/–). Thirty ApoE–/– mice were divided into two groups (n = 15/group) and fed a high-fat diet (HFD), with and without the addition of 10% (w/w) APH. After 12 weeks, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, hepatic enzyme activities, liver histology and immunohistochemistry were analyzed to assess hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Twelve-weeks on a 10% (w/w) APH diet reduces total cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels, hepatic enzyme activity and hepatic triacylglycerol content (p < 0.0001), and results in a reduction in hepatic fat accumulation and macrophage recruitment (p < 0.0001). The results suggest that a 10% APH diet has an anti-obesity effect, with an improvement in lipid metabolism, hepatic steatosis and liver injury as a result of a high-fat diet. Protein hydrolysates from fish waste may represent an efficient nutritional strategy in several diseases, and their use as nutraceuticals is worthy of future investigation.

Effect of Soybean and Soybean Koji on Obesity and Dyslipidemia in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet: A Comparative Study

“…Soybeans are an important dietary source because they contain high-quality proteins and are rich in bioactive compounds such as isoflavones and saponins [ 1 ]. Nowadays, diet supplementation has been widely accepted as a useful strategy to modulate biochemical and molecular pathways to improve physiological and pathological conditions [ 2 , 3 ]. It has been reported that soybeans have many therapeutic properties, including hypocholesterolemic [ 4 ], anti-hypertensive [ 5 ], and anti-cancer effects [ 6 ].…”

Effects of Rumen-Protected Niacin on Dry Matter Intake, Milk Production, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility, and Faecal Bacterial Community in Multiparous Holstein Dairy Cow during the Postpartum Period

“…These repercussions highlight the need for a smooth transition from prepartum to postpartum period for optimal dairy cow health and performance. The improvement of diet composition becomes a key factor to improve the health status and welfare of animals [5], as well as to enhance productivity in livestock [6][7][8].…”

Anti-Atherogenic Effect of 10% Supplementation of Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) Waste Protein Hydrolysates in ApoE-Deficient Mice

“…Six-month-old female B6.129P2-ApoE −/− mice (C57BL/6 genetic background), enrolled in previous studies carried out by of our research group [ 25 , 26 ], were used in this experimental trial. Mice were allocated to sterile filter-top cages and kept on a 12-h light/dark cycle, in standard laboratory conditions (21 ± 1 °C, 55 ± 5% humidity).…”

“…The anchovy ( Engraulis encrasicolus ) is a common fish species of the Mediterranean Sea, known to produce high-value bioactive peptides under enzymatic hydrolysis, with nutraceutical potential only partially explored to date [ 24 ]. A recent survey carried out by our research group demonstrated that 12-week administration of 10% ( w/w ) anchovy protein hydrolysates (APH) in a high-fat diet produced a significant anti-obesity effect, improving lipid metabolism and reducing hepatic steatosis and liver damage in ApoE −/− mice [ 25 ]. Additionally, APH significantly produced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating the expression of oxidative stress-related genes in the aorta and heart tissue in the same ApoE −/− mice [ 26 ].…”