Bioactive peptides: from research to cardiovascular therapy

Food protein hydrolysates and food-derived peptides are well-recognized as valuable tools for improving health, playing a crucial role in physiological and pathological processes of cardiovascular system. Bioactive peptides mimic the functions of mediators implicated in pathologic conditions that are responsible for cardiovascular disease progress, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and oxidative status. They can be released throughout gastrointestinal digestion or food processing from an assembly of protein sources. Therefore, bioactive can be important prophylactic or therapeutic agents in cardiovascular diseases, as components of functional food, nutraceuticals or biopharmaceutical. This chapter emphasizes the production and properties of bioactive peptides relevant to cardiovascular health, namely hypocholesterolemic, hypotriglyceridemic, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and antioxidant. An exploitation of formulated food products and novel delivery systems in cardiovascular context is also provided.