[OP.LB03.08] EFFECTS OF LTP2 PEPTIDE RICH WHEAT PRODUCTS ON BLOOD PRESSURE, ENDOTHELIAL REACTIVITY AND OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS: A DOUBLE-BLIND, CROSS-OVER, RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

OBJECTIVE: Different wheats contain different amounts of bioactive peptides and with different pharmacological effects. Some wheat peptides as LTP2 have known ACE-inhibitory activity in vitro. Our aim was to test the haemodynamic and metabolic effect of two kind of commercial wheat product made by wheat naturally containing a high (Khamut®) or low amount of LTP2.

METHODS: in the context of the 7FP EU "Beneficial Effects of Bioactive Compounds in Humans (BACCHUS)" project, we enrolled 60 non-diabetic subjects (age 40-70 years old), at increased estimated CV risk (ESC/EAS SCORE), with SBP 130-139 mmHg and/or DBP 85-90 mmHg (pre-hypertensive/borderline high pressure subjects), in primary prevention for CVD, and we randomized then to the two experimental arms. The trial was a double-blind, cross-over, randomized clinical trial. Each treatment phase had a 4-week duration.

RESULTS: Anthropometric parameters, office blood pressure, cholesterol, liver and renal parameters did not change during both wheat products intake.Diurnal and nocturnal systolic blood pressure significantly improved only after Khamut intake versus baseline and versus control (from 136,3 ± 4,2 to 132,4 ± 4,5 mmHg, p < 0.05, and from 120,8 ± 5,4 to 116,4 ± 4,1 mmHg, p < 0,05, respectively).Pulse volume change (as a marker of endothelial reactivity) significantly improved only after Khamut intake versus baseline and versus control (from 64,3 ± 6,6 to 68,1 ± 4,2, p < 0.05).Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index did not change during both wheat products intake.Plasma fasting triglycerides and glucose significantly improved only after Khamut intake versus baseline and versus control (from 123,5 ± 32,9 to 107,2 ± 21,5 mg/dL, p < 0.05, and from 86,3 ± 8,8 to 84,2 ± 6,3 mg/dL, p < 0,05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Substituting standard wheat products in diet with products rich in LTP2 peptide seems to mildly improve 24-hour systolic blood pressure, endothelial reactivity, fasting triglycerides and glucose level in overall healthy subjects with suboptimal blood pressure control.