FOOD SCIENCE ›› 2012, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 243-247.doi: 10.7506/spkx1002-6630-201203051

• Nutrition & Hygiene • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characterization of Pepsin Hydrolysate of Chicken Sternal Cartilage and Its Immunoregulatory Function in Rats with Rheumatoid Arthritis

CAO Hui,ZHANG Zhong-hui,XU Shi-ying   

  1. 1.Medical Equipment and Food Institute, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; 2. Apple Flavor & Fragrance Group Co. Ltd., Shanghai 201809, China; 3. School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214036, China
  • Online:2012-02-15 Published:2012-02-14

Abstract: Purpose: To investigate physicochemical properties of the pepsin hydrolysate of chicken sternal cartilage and its immunoregulatory function in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: RA was induced in rats by collagen type II injections. Results: The pepsin hydrolysate consisted mainly of collagen type II with a denaturation temperature of 43.843℃. However, the solubility was low at pH above 5.8 and NaCl concentrations above 0.9 mol/L. Oral administration of the hydrolysate decreased significantly the swelling of paws, the serum level of anti-collagen type II antibody and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in RA rats. Conclusion: The pepsin hydrolysate can prevent and treat RA probably by regulating the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, correcting the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines network, and decreasing the serum concentration of anti-collagen type II antibody.

Key words: chicken sternal cartilage hydrolysate, rheumatoid arthritis, immunoregulatory function, cytokines

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