Anti-Obesity and Antihypertensive Peptides: Its Relationship to Adipose Tissue

Overweight and obesity are major health problems worldwide. It is considered the result of the combination of genetic factors, inadequate nutrition, and lack of regular physical activity. One of the consequences of these conditions is the increase in blood pressure that is mainly related to the accumulation of visceral (abdominal) fat, often in the context of the so-called metabolic syndrome. It has been shown that about 50% of patients with diabetes have hypertension, while 20% of hypertensive patients have diabetes. To obtain a preventive effect on cardiovascular disease, it is necessary to demonstrate that the combination of anti-obesity and anti-hypertension therapy can reduce morbidity and mortality. Bioactive peptides are chains of inactive amino acids within the intact protein released by hydrolysis, either by digestion in the organism or by the body. Bioactive peptides can be absorbed by the enterocytes and reach the bloodstream performing a biological activity that can have a physiological or functional effect beyond providing essential amino acids and contribute to energy metabolism, with the possibility of exhibiting multiple effects. In this review, the mechanisms by which peptides can act to achieve a preventive effect on the development of obesity and hypertension will be addressed.