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Bioactive Microconstituents from Foods, Metabolic Health and the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

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Dear Colleagues,

Over the last years, global metabolic health has been in crisis, with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases increasing in many countries. Sedentarism, unhealthy dietary choices, stress and several environmental factors contribute to this phenomena. The medications used for metabolic disorders are expensive, poorly tolerated by patients, show adverse effects and lack sustainable effectiveness. Therefore, there is an urgent need for complementary and alternative options. Bioactive microconstituents from foods may offer a variety of benefits for human health. Although much research has been conducted on the effect of bioactive compounds on metabolic health, there is still a lot of research needed on the mechanisms that underly these activities.

This SI welcomes submissions including, but not limited to, the following:

Chemical and dietary characterization of bioactive microconstituents from foods with beneficial actions on metabolic health;
In vitro and animal studies on the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms under which bioactive microconstituents exert their benefits on metabolism;
Human studies, such as bioavailability, postprandial, dietary interventions with the use of these constituents on metabolic health;
Studies on their effects on metagenomic, metabolomic or epigenetic markers associated with metabolic health.

Original research articles, review papers and meta-analyses are welcome and we strongly encourage innovative research methods and approaches that address the sustainability aspects of bioactive microconstituents.

Dr. Charalampia Amerikanou
Dr. Andriana Kaliora
Dr. Chara Tzavara
Guest Editors

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16 pages, 2188 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tartary Buckwheat Peptides Prevent Oxidative Damage in Differentiated SOL8 Cells via a Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis Pathway

by Yifan Xu, Yawen Wang, Min Yang, Pengxiang Yuan, Weikang Xu, Tong Jiang and Jian Huang

Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132204 - 2 Jul 2025

Abstract

Background: Under oxidative stress conditions, the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells disrupt the intracellular homeostasis. Tartary buckwheat peptides exert their effects by scavenging oxidative free radicals, such as superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, thereby reducing oxidative damage within cells. Meanwhile, these peptides safeguard mitochondria by maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential, decreasing the production of mitochondrial oxygen free radicals, and regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy to preserve mitochondrial homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, Tartary buckwheat peptides restore the intracellular redox balance, sustain cellular energy metabolism and biosynthesis, and ensure normal cellular physiological functions, which is of great significance for cell survival and adaptation under oxidative stress conditions. Objectives: In this experiment, a classical cellular oxidative stress model was established. Indicators related to antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial membrane potential changes, as well as pathways associated with oxidative stress, were selected for detection. The aim was to elucidate the effects of Tartary buckwheat oligopeptides on the metabolism of cells in response to oxidative stress. Methods: In this study, we established an oxidative damage model of mouse skeletal muscle myoblast (SOL8) cells using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), investigated the pre-protective effects of Tartary buckwheat oligopeptides on H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress damage in SOL8 cells at the cellular level, and explored the possible mechanisms. The CCK-8 method is a colorimetric assay based on WST-8-[2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodiumsalt], which is used to detect cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Results: The value of CCK-8 showed that, when the cells were exposed to 0.01 mmol/L H₂O₂ for 1 h and 10 mg/mL Tartary buckwheat oligopeptides intervention for 48 h, these were the optimal conditions. Compared with the H₂O₂ group, the intervention group (KB/H₂O₂ group) showed that the production of ROS was significantly reduced (p < 0.001), the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and the activity of catalase (CAT) was significantly increased (p < 0.01); the mitochondrial membrane potential in the KB/H₂O₂ group tended to return to the level of the control group, and they all showed dose-dependent effects. Compared with the H₂O₂ group, the mRNA expression of KEAP1 in the KB/H₂O₂ group decreased, while the mRNA expression of NRF2α, HO-1, nrf1, PGC-1, P62, and PINK increased. Conclusions: Therefore, Tartary buckwheat oligopeptides have a significant pre-protective effect on H₂O₂-induced SOL8 cells, possibly by enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase, reducing ROS attack, balancing mitochondrial membrane potential, and maintaining intracellular homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Microconstituents from Foods, Metabolic Health and the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms)

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