Egg white-derived peptides decreased blood pressure via the competing endogenous RNA regulatory networks in female spontaneously hypertensive rats

Despite numerous studies reporting the effects and mechanisms of antihypertensive peptides including peptides derived from egg white proteins, the role of peptides in female hypertensive animal model is unknown. On the other hand, the role of epigenetic modulation by the peptide treatment has been rarely investigated. This study sought to investigate the effect of egg white protein hydrolysate (EWH) in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of transcriptome and the profiles of non-coding RNAs. Young (12-14-week-old) female SHRs were orally administered with 250 mg/kg body weight (low-dose) or 1000 mg/kg body weight (high-dose) of EWH daily for 10 weeks. Blood pressure of the rats were monitored weekly. The miRNA in the aorta were profiled by the high-throughput RNA-seq technique. Differentially expressed (DE) RNAs in the aorta were identified for the construction of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and key molecules were validated by qRT-PCR. The treatment of the high-dose EWH showed a significant effect in reducing blood pressure in female SHRs. Bioinformatic analyses revealed 90 DE-miRNAs. The miRNA in the aorta of female spontaneously hypertensive rats were profiled by the high-throughput RNA-seq technique.