Synergistic effect of collagen peptide LR-7 and taurine on the prevention of cardiovascular injury in high salt-induced hypertensive mice

Hypertension significantly contributes to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Our investigation was designed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with collagen peptide (LR-7) and taurine (Tau) on cardiovascular impairment in hypertensive mice induced by an 8% high-salt (HS) diet. Compared to administration of LR-7 (200 μmol/kg) or Tau (200 μmol/kg) alone, the combined treatment of LR-7 (100 μmol/kg) and Tau (100 μmol/kg) exhibited the strongest inhibition of systolic blood pressure elevation, aortic intimal thickening, reduction in myocardial fiber density, and myocardial fibrosis in HS-induced hypertensive mice. Furthermore, the treatment with LR-7+Tau significantly ameliorated the levels of cardiac adhesion factor (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase), and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and nuclear factor kappa-B) in hypertensive mice compared to either LR-7 or Tau alone. To uncover the underlying mechanisms, the calpain 1/junctophilin-2 (JP2) pathway in cardiac tissue was investigated. Our findings revealed that LR-7+Tau treatment reversed the abnormal expression of calpain 1 and JP2 proteins in cardiac tissue. Additionally, it upregulated the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) levels in the heart. In summary, LR-7 and Tau collectively exerted a cardiovascular protective effect in HS diet-induced hypertensive mice, demonstrating synergistic efficacy.