Release of Bioactive Peptides from Whey Protein During In Vitro Digestion and Their Effect on CCK Secretion in Enteroendocrine Cells: An In Silico and In Vitro Approach.

ABSTRACT: During gastrointestinal digestion, dietary proteins are hydrolyzed into peptides and free amino acids that modulate enteroendocrine function and satiety-related hormone secretion along the gut-brain axis, thereby contributing to obesity prevention. We investigated whey protein concentrate (WPC) as a source of bioactive peptides and evaluated the effects of its digests on cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion in STC-1 enteroendocrine cells by integrating the standardized INFOGEST in vitro digestion protocol, peptidomics (LC-MS/MS), and in silico bioactivity prediction. In STC-1 cells, the <3 kDa intestinal peptide fraction exhibited the strongest CCK stimulation, positioning these low-molecular-weight peptides as promising bioactive components for satiety modulation and metabolic health applicati

SUBMITTER: Ignot-Gutierrez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844283 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature