Protective Effect of Chickpea Protein Hydrolysates on Colon Carcinogenesis Associated With a Hypercaloric Diet

J Am Coll Nutr. 2019 Feb;38(2):162-170. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2018.1487809. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Abstract

Objective: Colon cancer occupies the third place in incidence worldwide; eating habits, in particular, consumption of hypercaloric diets, are relevant in its etiopathogenesis. On the other hand, foods can also modulate carcinogenesis: for example, proteins, which when hydrolyzed release peptides with biological activities, and legumes, especially, chickpea, represent a good source of hydrolysates. The objective of this work was to verify the inhibitory effect of chickpea hydrolyzed protein on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced carcinogenesis in mice fed a hypercaloric diet.

Methods: We hydrolyzed chickpea protein by pepsin, pancreatin, and a combined pepsin-pancreatin system, to test its anticarcinogenic and hypercaloric activity in mice that had consumed a hypercaloric diet or a normal diet but were injected with azoxymethane (AOM).

Results: A concentrate (70% proteins) was obtained from chickpea seeds (18.5% proteins), and extensive hydrolysates were obtained at 15 minutes, in all tested enzyme systems. The greatest activity was evidenced in the hydrolysates obtained with pepsin-pancreatin at 90 minutes. Animals that consumed the hypercaloric diet had a higher concentration of cholesterol and a higher atherogenic index, which were significantly reduced with the administration of chickpea protein hydrolysates with a dose-response effect (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg), whereas no effect was observed in animals that consumed the normal diet. In animals given AOM, aberrant crypts were observed, at a higher rate in animals that consumed the hypercaloric diet; with the consumption of hydrolysates by the animals that consumed either diet, the number of aberrant crypts was reduced with the 3 doses tested, and the effect was better in those animals fed the hypercaloric diet. The best effect in all tests was with 30 mg/kg body weight.

Conclusion: The consumption of chickpea protein hydrolysates might confer a protective effect against colon carcinogenesis.

Keywords: Legumes; aberrant crypts; colon cancer; hyperlipidemia; protein hydrolyzates.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Azoxymethane
  • Carcinogenesis / chemically induced
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects*
  • Cicer / chemistry*
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colonic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Diet / adverse effects
  • Diet / methods
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Energy Intake
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Protein Hydrolysates / pharmacology*
  • Seeds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Protective Agents
  • Protein Hydrolysates
  • Azoxymethane