Wound healing includes dynamic processes grouped into three overlapping phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and maturation/remodeling. Collagen is a critical component of a healing wound and, due to its properties, is of great interest in regenerative medicine. This preclinical study was designed to compare the effects of a new collagen-based hydrolysate powder on wound repair to a commercial non-hydrolysate product, in a murine model of cutaneous healing. Circular excisional defects were created on the dorsal skin of Wistar rats (n = 36). Three study groups were established according to the treatment administered. Animals were euthanized after 7 and 18 days. Morphometric and morphological studies were performed to evaluate the healing process. The new collagen treatment led to the smallest open wound area throughout most of the study. After seven days, wound morphometry, contraction, and epithelialization were similar in all groups. Treated animals showed reduced granulation tissue formation and fewer inflammatory cells, and induction of vasculature with respect to untreated animals. After 18 days, animals treated with the new collagen treatment showed accelerated wound closure, significantly increased epithelialization, and more organized repair tissue. Our findings suggest that the new collagen treatment, compared to the untreated control group, produces significantly faster wound closure and, at the same time, promotes a slight progression of the reparative process compared with the rest of the groups.

Background/Objectives: Collagen is a protein formed by very long amino acid chains. When conveniently treated, it can incorporate water into the net, thus increasing its volume and mass. The present work aimed to evaluate the potential anti-obesity effects of bovine collagen that has been technologically treated to increase its water retention capacity in an acid pH medium, with the objective of inducing satiation. Methods: Collagen’s digestibility was tested with a pepsin digestion test. Its swelling capacity was tested in an acid pH medium simulating gastric conditions. Postprandial levels of ghrelin in response to collagen supplementation were tested in rats. In a randomized control trial, 64 subjects with overweight/obesity were allocated in two groups: supplemented daily with two protein bars enriched with collagen (20 g per day) for 12 weeks, or control group. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were assessed in all the participants. Results: This collagen showed a low digestibility (1900%) in vitro. In humans with overweight and obesity, this collagen significantly reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fatty liver index (FLI) and increased fat-free mass when compared with the control group. A significant reduction in the sarcopenic index; total, troncular, and visceral fat (measured by DEXA); and serum leptin levels were observed in the collagen group at the end of the intervention, with no differences with respect to controls. Collagen reduced the sensation of hunger and increased fullness and satisfaction. In male Wistar rats, collagen decreased postprandial blood ghrelin levels. Conclusions: Collagen supplementation (20 g per day for 12 weeks) reduced body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, FLI, and SBP in humans with overweight and obesity, which might be related to the increased sensation of fullness and satisfaction reported by the volunteers after the intake.

Collagen and its derivatives, including hydrolyzed collagen peptides, have emerged as promising bioactive compounds with potential benefits in obesity and metabolic syndrome prevention and management. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of a low-molecular-weight bovine collagen hydrolysate (COLLinstant^® LMW) on metabolic health using Caenorhabditis elegans and C57BL/6 diet-induced obese mice. In C. elegans, C-LMW (2 mg/mL) improved healthspan by significantly reducing fat accumulation (as measured with Nile Red) and reactive oxygen species measured through dihydroethidium, slowing the aging process measured with lipofuscin, and extending the median lifespan of the nematodes. In 32 male 20-week-old diet-induced obese mice, C-LMW supplementation (1 mg/animal/day) for 8 weeks led to a significant reduction in mesenteric, visceral and total adipose tissue (−28% −15% and −18%, respectively; p > 0.05), improved glucose tolerance, and partially restored glucose homeostasis, as demonstrated by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance (−26% AUC, p < 0.05). Additionally, collagen hydrolysate supplementation led to a significant impact on gut microbiota composition by increasing microbial diversity and modulating beneficial bacterial populations, which may contribute to the observed metabolic improvements. These findings suggest that bovine-derived collagen peptides exert anti-obesogenic and metabolic regulatory effects, supporting their potential as functional dietary ingredients for obesity management.