Prospects for the management of type 2 diabetes using food protein-derived peptides with dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity

Since drug based inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is employed in type 2 (T2D) diabetes therapy, food protein hydrolysates which inhibit DPP-IV may also have potential in the management of T2D. Specific peptide motifs, consisting of an N-terminal Trp and/or a Pro at position 2, have been associated with relatively potent inhibition of DPP-IV. Different modes of inhibition which may, or may not, involve the active site of DPP-IV have been identified. Animal studies have shown that food protein hydrolysates having in vitro DPP-IV inhibitory activity generally yield antidiabetic effects in vivo. However, clear evidence of such effects in humans is still required in order to establish the potential role of food protein hydrolysates in the management of T2D.