Dietary supplementation of fish collagen peptides (FCP) ameliorates high fat-alcohol induced hyperlipidemia in experimental rats

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt was made to examine the antihyperlipidemic property of fish collagen peptides prepared from the skin of hammerhead shark in experimentally induced hyperlipidemic rats with respect to the changes in the levels of lipid profile components and the activities of key lipid metabolic enzymes. The ABTS free radical scavenging assay exhibited the antioxidant potential of FCP prepared with enzymatic hydrolysis. The crude FCP and the ultrapurified fraction was found to exhibit 88.5 per cent and 94.6 per cent radical scavenging activity that is equivalent to 20 µg per ml BHA. Gel filtration chromatographic fractions exhibiting maximum antioxidant activity were pooled and fractionated by anion exchange chromatography. The physico-chemical characterization of the active FCP fractions using SDS-PAGE, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy indicated the cleavage of peptide bonds and the formation of low molecular weight fragments with improved antioxidant properties. The chromatographic fraction with maximum antioxidant activity was further evaluated for their capability to attenuate the experimentallyinduced oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia by feeding pre-heated fat and alcohol with the regular diet for 60 days. The oral intake of oxidized fatty diet with alcohol caused an exalted body weight gain, elevated levels of lipid profile and increased expression of fatty acid synthase. Likewise, induction of oxidative stress was noticed from the augmented levels of lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, FCP intake normalized the antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation rate, whereas they were significantly higher in statin-treated group than normal control group. Correspondingly, FCP was found to enhance the serum levels of good cholesterol and HMG Co-A reductase. Moreover, there was increased expression of LCAT in liver with low levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDLC in serum. In conclusion, the results of the present study confirmed the competency of FCP to ameliorate oxidative stress induced hyper-lipidemia.