Short Peptides as Nutritional Components: Molecular Foundations of Homeostasis Regulation

Introduction

Most short peptides, when ingested, enter the bloodstream unchanged. Furthermore, these short peptides can penetrate the cytoplasmic membrane and enter the cell nucleus, where they may interact with DNA molecules and epigenetically modulate gene expression. This suggests that short peptides possess high bioactivity, making them suitable for use as substances with a significant degree of physiological impact, particularly as supplements that complement primary therapies for various pathologies.

The theory of peptide regulation of homeostasis explains certain mechanisms of bioregulation at the cellular and molecular levels.

What is the essence of this concept?

Nutrition is a crucial component of maintaining the constancy of the internal environment within the body, and research has shown that it to some extent influences longevity and the quality of life.

Nutrients that enter the body participate in metabolic processes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), circulatory system, tissues, and organs, supporting cellular functions. Hence, it is crucial that nutrition is balanced according to a person’s age, physical activity, and mental activity.

Therefore, pathological processes in the body, including aging, according to recent research findings, are determined by disturbances in the nutrient metabolism process.

The scientific community currently focuses on two aspects of nutrition:

1. Epidemiology of Nutrition: This aspect investigates the interdependence between nutrition and the development of diseases.
2. Biochemical Transformation of Nutrients in the Body: This includes the transition of nutrients from food into hormones, i.e., signaling molecules.

Fatty acids and amino acids that enter the bloodstream from food interact with cellular targets, epigenetically correct gene expression, and regulate protein synthesis rates. Among these signaling molecules are regulatory peptides of exogenous and endogenous origin. Short peptides, synthesized as a result of the degradation of dietary proteins, hold great interest within this group. During the aging process, metabolic reactions in the body slow down, resulting in a decline in the functionality of peptidases in the GIT, as well as disturbances in the formation and absorption of short peptides

The Significance of Short Peptides

Research into the functioning of short peptides aims to understand their action as bioregulators on organs and systems and to explore the possibility of producing pharmaceuticals based on them for the treatment of various severe diseases. Scientists in our country have synthesized short peptides that contribute to the normalization of immune and endocrine system function. Short peptides with a wide range of bioactivity have also been obtained. Animal studies have shown that they:

• Increase average and maximum lifespan.
• Contribute to telomere lengthening.
• Inhibit the development of malignancies.
• Enhance the activity of immune and endocrine cells.
• Stimulate protein synthesis in the liver cells of experimental animals (old rats).

Tissue-specific Interaction of Short Peptides with Target Cells

It has been established that peptide drugs such as epithalamin (isolated from the pineal gland) and thymalin (isolated from the thymus), as well as short peptides AEDG and KE, exert pronounced tissue-specific effects on the pineal gland and thymus (target tissues). This is based on the ability of short peptides to pass through the cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes and interact with DNA molecules, epigenetically correcting gene expression. Research results have shown that short peptides can directly bind to DNA. Such findings have given rise to a new research method – molecular modeling. Bioactive short peptides can bind to DNA molecules and have different effects on genes in various tissues or cells, in the nucleus or in malignant cells. Thus, the interaction of peptides with DNA molecules can control cellular genetic functions, which is currently being researched for use in the prevention and treatment of oncological pathologies.

Clinical Efficacy of Oral Administration of Short Peptides

Short peptides are already successfully used in clinical settings as peptide drugs. For example:

1. The peptide LysGlu-Asp-Trp (KEDW) creates favorable conditions for reducing blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
2. Peptides Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR) and Glu-Asp-Pro (EDP), used by athletes, normalize the functions of the antioxidant system, increase endurance to physical loads, and promote the development of a higher level of energy metabolism.
3. Peptide complexes IPH, used by athletes and active individuals, regulate many processes in the body. Short peptides in their composition transmit information from cell to cell, thus supporting the functions and structures of organs and systems.
4. Peptide bioregulators EDR and EDP increase the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscles in athletes.
5. The tripeptide EDR is used in the treatment of central nervous system pathologies (cranial-cerebral injuries, cerebrasthenia).
6. The peptide Lys-Glu-Asp (KED), in combination with standard therapy, is more effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis compared to standard treatment alone.
7. The combined use of peptide bioregulators KED and EDR in workers with harmful production conditions leads to improved memory, attention, thinking, accelerated perceptual-motor reactions, increased mental performance, and reduced CNS aging.

This is just a sample of the application of short peptides in the treatment of various pathologies. Oral administration of short peptides and low-molecular-weight peptide drugs is effective in atherosclerosis, oncology, bronchial asthma, CNS disorders, accelerated aging, and high physical loads. Short peptides are resistant to the effects of gastrointestinal tract enzymes and blood plasma, can activate the absorption of bioactive substances in the gastrointestinal tract, penetrate inside cells, interact with target cells, DNA, and regulate gene expression epigenetically. All of these factors explain their effectiveness in modern medicine.