Oyster (Ostrea Plicatula Gmelin) Peptides Improve Exercise Endurance Capacity via Activating AMPK and HO-1

Abstract

Objective

Previous studies have shown that oyster peptides (OPs) have antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of OPs on swimming endurance in mice and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The mice were subjected to gavage with OPs and subjected to exercise training. After 14 days, various biochemical indicators in the blood and gastrocnemius muscle of mice were assessed, and real-time PCR was utilized to detect the level of signal pathway regulation by OPs in the gastrocnemius muscle. Molecular docking technology was employed to observe the potential active components in OPs that regulate signal pathways.

Results

In this study, OPs supplementation combined with and without exercise significantly extended swimming time compared to the sedentary group. OPs supplementation with exercise also increased glycogen levels and decreased blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactic acid levels. Additionally, mice in the exercise with OPs group exhibited higher activities of antioxidant enzymes. OPs can upregulate metabolic regulatory factors such as AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta, and glucose transporter 4, thereby increasing energy supply during exercise. Additionally, OPs enhances the expression of heme oxygenase 1 and superoxide dismutase 2, thereby reducing oxidative stress during physical activity. Molecular docking analyses revealed that peptides found in OPs formed hydrogen bonds with AMPK and HO-1, indicating that they can exert bioactivity by activating target proteins such as AMPK and HO-1.

Conclusions

OPs supplementation improved energy reserves, modulated energy metabolism pathways, and coordinated antioxidative stress responses, ultimately enhancing swimming endurance. These findings suggest that OPs have the potential to improve exercise levels by promoting metabolism and improving energy utilization efficiency.

Keywords:

• Oyster peptides
• endurance
• gastrocnemius muscle
• metabolic regulator
• molecular docking

Authors contributions

All authors were involved in the study. Shuting Lin and Yuni Zhang: Methodology, Data Curation, Investigation, Formal Analysis. Peng Ye, Houhua Zhao and Keyu Yang: Methodology, Data Curation. Gengxin Hao: Writing-Original Draft Preparation, Project Administration, Supervision, Writing-Review & Editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of financial or personal interests with other people or organizations that could influence the work described in this manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [Joint Fund Project of Fujian Natural Science Foundation] under Grant [2022J011383]; [Xiamen Medical and Health Guidance Project] under Grant [3502Z20209169]; [Young and Middle-aged Talent Training Plan of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College, Education and Scientific Research Project for Young and Middle-aged Teachers in Fujian Province] under Grant [JAT210484]; and [National Fund Cultivation Program Project of Jimei University] under Grant [ZP2023011].