Effect of Bioactive Peptides on Gut Microbiota and Their Relations to Human Health

Abstract

Bioactive peptides derived from both exogenous and endogenous origins have been studied extensively to use their beneficial effects in humans and animals. Bioactive peptides exhibit beneficial bodily functions and contribute to a healthy gastrointestinal system by influencing barrier functions, immune responses, and gut microbiota. Gut microbiota is a diverse microbial community that significantly influences the overall well-being and homeostasis of the body. Factors such as diet, age, lifestyle, medication, and environmental circumstances can affect the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. The disturbances or imbalances in the gut microbiota have been associated with various health problems. The interplays between bioactive peptides and gut microbiota are not fully understood, but bioactive peptides hold promise as modulators of the gut microbiota to promote gut health. Almost all the bioactive research on human health, including the development of therapeutics and nutritional interventions, uses cell culture, even though their direct biofunctional activities can only occur when absorbed in the intestine and into the blood system. This review focuses on the current understanding of bioactive peptides in gut microbiota and their impact and mechanisms on gut and human health. The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted interactions between bioactive peptides and gut microbiota, integrating knowledge from diverse disciplines between microbiology and nutrition. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms and identifying current research gaps, this review offers an outlook on the potential of bioactive peptides in promoting gut health and shaping future therapeutic and nutritional interventions.

Keywords: bioactive peptides; gut health; gut microbiota; human health; mechanisms of function.

Figure 1

The mechanism of bioactive peptides on external bacteria and viruses. The release of bioactive peptides from intestinal cells and gut microbes inhibits the growth of external bacteria and viruses, maintaining the gut microbiota’s balance and stability. The gut microbiota is crucial for inducing the expression of antimicrobial peptides that defend against pathogens. These peptides are vital components of innate immunity, controlling pathogen growth within the intestine. Paneth cells can directly sense gut microbiota through MyD88-dependent TLR activation, leading to the expression of α-defensins and C-type lectins. β-defensin interacts with intestinal epithelial cells via CCR6, promoting epithelial resistance.