The anti-hypoxic effects of oat (Avena sativa L.) oligopeptides in mice

Objective: To explore the anti-hypoxic effects of oat oligopeptides (OOPs) in mice. Methods: We randomly divided mice into six groups, including a vehicle control group, a whey protein group (0.50 g/kg), and four OOPstreated groups (0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 g/kg). The test substances were administered by gavage once a day for 30 days. The normobaric hypoxia, sodium nitrite toxicosis, and acute cerebral ischemia survival times were recorded. Also, the MDA content, the lactate levels, the LDH activity, and the mRNA levels of HIF-1a and VEGF in the brains were measured. We performed a whole blood cell analysis using a blood analyzer. Results: The OOPs significantly extended the survival times of normobaric hypoxia, sodium nitrite toxicosis, and acute cerebral ischemia. Notably, the OOPs enhanced the RBC, Hb, and Hct levels, decreased the malonaldehyde (MDA) and lactate content in the brain, enhanced the brain lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and increased the hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1 alpha) mRNA and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression levels. Conclusion: OOPs have anti-hypoxic effects, and the mechanism may involve improving the blood's oxygen carrying capacity and oxygen utilization rate minimizing the lipid peroxidation lesions, increasing the brain's ability to buffer against lactic acidosis in mice, and promoting angiogenesis and regulating the hypoxic response.