Glycomacropeptide Bioactivity and Health: A Review Highlighting Action Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Food-derived bioactive peptides are reported as beneficial and safe for human health. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a milk-protein-derived peptide that, in addition to its nutritional value, retains many biological properties and has therapeutic effects in several inflammatory disorders. GMP was shown under in vitro and in vivo conditions to exert a number of activities that regulate the physiology of important body systems, namely the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and immune systems. This review represents a comprehensive compilation summarizing the current knowledge and updated information on the major biological properties associated with GMP. GMP bioactivity is addressed with special attention on mechanisms of action, signaling pathways involved, and structural characteristics implicated. In addition, the results of various studies dealing with the effects of GMP on models of inflammatory diseases are reviewed and discussed.

Protective Effect of Glycomacropeptide on Food Allergy with Gastrointestinal Manifestations in a Rat Model through Down-Regulation of Type 2 Immune Response

“…GMP is a peptide derived from milk that exhibits biological activities with positive impact on human health [ 26 ]. In the present study, we demonstrated that prophylactic GMP administration induces a significant reduction in the development of FA by diminishing the IgE and IgG1 antibody response, the allergic clinical manifestations, and the intestinal inflammation.…”

“…GMP is free from phenylalanine residues, which allows it to be used as a protein-based ingredient in the formulation of food products for the nutrition of phenylketonuria patients [ 25 ]. Many different biological activities have been attributed to GMP [ 26 ]. Among them, the immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of orally administered GMP.…”

Casein glycomacropeptide is well tolerated in healthy adults and changes neither high-sensitive C-reactive protein, gut microbiota nor faecal butyrate: a restricted randomised trial

“…Due to the different modifications CGMP is quite heterogeneous. (1,45) The reference-drink consisted of 15 g of skimmed milk powder and flavourings. Similarity of taste and texture was optimised to secure participant blinding.…”

The Impact of the Use of Glycomacropeptide on Satiety and Dietary Intake in Phenylketonuria

“…Whey protein has been shown to induce satiety to a greater extent than other protein sources such as casein, soya and egg albumin [ 11 , 12 ]. There is some evidence that CGMP influences hormone responses affecting satiety [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. However, human studies investigating the effect of CGMP on food intake and satiety have resulted in mixed findings [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Gut absorption of protein is thought to modulate satiety, although the influence of the protein source and individual amino acids on the control of food intake is not completely understood. It involves complex pathways that affect vagus-mediated signals, satiety related hormones and their metabolites (including the peptide ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and peptide tyrosine–tyrosine (PYY)) [ 11 , 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Some blood amino acids, particularly leucine, lysine, tryptophan, isoleucine and threonine, are linked to satiety responses [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”