Addition of Whey Peptides to a Carbohydrate-electrolyte Drink Enhances its Effect on the Early Treatment of Dehydration in Rats

• Published in: FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 623 - 629
• Main Authors: Ito, Kentaro, Saito, Yuri, Yamaguchi, Makoto, Ashida, Kinya, Yamaji, Taketo, Itoh, Hiroyuki, Takahashi, Toru, Oda, Munehiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Tsukuba Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology 2016; The Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Absorption; Carbohydrates; Dehydration; Electrolytes; Intestine; Peptide transporter; Peptides; Rats; Rehydration; Small intestine; Water absorption; Whey; whey peptide
• ISSN: 1344-6606; 1881-3984
• DOI: 10.3136/fstr.22.623

Previous studies suggested that peptide absorption by peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) contributes to water absorption in the small intestine. Here, we aimed to apply this effect of peptides to a rehydration drink for the effective treatment of dehydration. We first prepared a whey peptide drink (WPD) in which the composition (whey peptides and Na+) was optimized for water absorption in the small intestine. We then evaluated the effectiveness of the WPD in an in vivo dehydration model. The results demonstrated the following: (1) the addition of whey peptides to a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink enhanced the rehydration effect in the rat dehydration model, i.e., it increased the plasma volume more quickly and more abundantly; and (2) the WPD was more effective for rehydration than a general sports drink. The WPD could be considered a new treatment option for the rapid alleviation of dehydration.