Since the effects of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) on lipid profile are still controversial, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted in the present study to assess the effect of MUFA-rich food on lipid profiles. The study was designed, conducted, and reported according to the guidelines of the 2020 preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. A systematic and comprehensive search was performed in several databases from inception up to 30 January 2022. The results showed that the intake of edible oil-derived MUFA (EDM) could increase the blood HDL-C level (mean difference = 0.08; 95%CI: −0.01, 0.17, p = 0.03), but did not affect the level of TC, TG, or LDL-C. Moreover, the consumption of other food-derived MUFA (ODM) significantly decreased TG concentration (mean difference = −0.35; 95%CI: −0.61, −0.09, p = 0.01)), but did not affect the level of TC, LDL-C, or HDL-C. Findings from this study suggest that MUFA-rich food might be beneficial to modulate the blood lipid profile.

(1) Background: The effects of resveratrol on blood lipids are controversial. Whether there is a dose-response of the lipid profile upon resveratrol supplementation is unknown. (2) Methods: This dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to explore the effects of resveratrol supplementation on lipid profile. A systematical and comprehensive search of several databases was conducted by 30 June 2022. (3) Results: The results indicated that the intake of resveratrol could significantly decrease the total cholesterol (TC) (mean difference = −10.28; 95%CI: −13.79, −6.76, p < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) (Mean difference = −856; 95%CI: −12.37, −4.75, p < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean difference = −5.69; 95%CI: −11.07, −0.31, p = 0.038) level, but did not alter the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In the non-linear dose–response analysis, we observed a significant effect of the supplementation dosage on the level of LDL-C (p-nonlinearity = 0.002). Results from the sub-group analysis showed that the reduction of LDL-C was more significant in the trials with a duration of ≥12 weeks and in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (4) Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that resveratrol may be beneficial to reduce TC, TG, and LDL-C levels in the blood. The dosage of the resveratrol intervention is an essential factor that affects the level of LDL-C.

Food protein-derived antihypertensive peptides are a representative type of bioactive peptides. Several models based on partial least squares regression have been constructed to delineate the relationship between the structure and activity of the peptides. Machine-learning-based models have been applied in broad areas, which also indicates their potential to be incorporated into the field of bioactive peptides. In this study, a long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithm-based deep learning model was constructed, which could predict the IC₅₀ value of the peptide in inhibiting ACE activity. In addition to the test dataset, the model was also validated using randomly synthesized peptides. The LSTM-based model constructed in this study provides an efficient and simplified method for screening antihypertensive peptides from food proteins.

Food protein-derived antihypertensive peptides have attracted substantial attention as a safer alternative for drugs. The regulation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is an essential aspect underlying the mechanisms of antihypertensive peptides. Most of the identified antihypertensive peptides exhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effect. In addition, artificial intelligence has improved the efficiency of ACE inhibitory peptide identifications. Moreover, the inhibition of renin and blockade or down-regulation of angiotensin type I receptor (AT1R) have also been demonstrated to be effective intervention strategies. With the identification of the ACE2/Ang (1–7)/MasR axis, activation or up-regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has also emerged as a new intervention pathway. This review summarizes the research progress of antihypertensive peptides in intervening with hypertension from the perspective of their properties, sources, and key factors. The objective of this review is to provide theoretical references for the development of antihypertensive peptides and the explorations of the molecular mechanisms.

Pea protein is considered to be a high quality dietary protein source, but also it is an ideal raw material for the production of bioactive peptides. Although the hypoglycemic effect of pea protein hydrolysate (PPH) has been previously reported, the underlying mechanisms, in particular its effect on the hepatic gluconeogenesis, remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we found that PPH suppressed glucose production in mouse liver cell-line AML-12 cells. Although both of the gluconeogenic and insulin signaling pathways in the AML-12 cells could be regulated by PPH, the suppression of glucose production was dependent on the inhibition of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-mediated signaling in the gluconeogenic pathway, but not the activation of insulin signaling. Findings from the present study have unveiled a novel role of PPH underlying its anti-diabetic activity, which could be helpful to accelerate the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals using PPH as a starting material.

(1) Background: The effect of cinnamon on the regulation of glycolipid levels in type 2 diabetic patients is still controversial, and there is a lack of research on the dose–response relationship between cinnamon and glycolipid indicators in type 2 diabetic patients. (2) Methods: This dose–response meta-analysis was performed to explore the effect of the cinnamon intervention on glycolipid metabolism. We conducted a comprehensive database search for literature published before November 2022. Nonlinear models were used for dose–response relationship analysis. (3) Results: We identified that a cinnamon intervention was effective in controlling triglyceride (TG) levels (mean difference = −7.31; 95%CI: −12.37, −2.25, p = 0.005) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (mean difference = −6.78; 95%CI: −11.35, −2.22, p = 0.004) in type 2 diabetic patients; however, it also was able to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (mean difference = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.01, 2.05, p < 0.001). However, the cinnamon intervention had no significant effect on the level of fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), or total cholesterol (TC) levels. We found a significant effect of the cinnamon intervention dose on the TG level (p-nonlinearity = 0.016) and LDL-C (p-nonlinearity = 0.019) in the nonlinear dose–response analysis. In the subgroup analysis, we found a hypoglycemic effect with the cinnamon dose ≤1200 mg (mean difference = −11.1, 95%CI: −14.64, −7.58, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusion: Cinnamon intervention may be beneficial in lowering TG and LDL-C levels while enhancing HDL-C levels, and the dosage of the intervention was an important factor in influencing the TG and LDL-C levels.