Additive beneficial effects of lactotripeptides intake with regular exercise on endothelium-dependent dilatation in postmenopausal women

Background: Peripheral conduit artery endothelium-dependent dilatation decreases with aging in humans. Lactotripeptides (LTPs) and regular exercise can improve endothelium-dependent dilatation, but combining these lifestyle modifications may be more effective than either treatment alone. We conducted a randomized, place-controlled trial with four different intervention arms.MethodsA total of 43 postmenopausal women (50-65 years old) were randomly divided into placebo, LTP, exercise and placebo (Explacebo), or exercise and LTP (Ex+LTP) groups. LTP or placebo was administered orally for 8 weeks. The exercise groups completed an 8-week moderate aerobic exercise (walking or cycling) intervention.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in baseline flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and most other key dependent variables among the groups. FMD significantly increased in the LTP, Explacebo, and Ex+LTP groups whereas no such changes were observed in the placebo control group. The magnitude of increases in FMD was significantly greater in the ExLTP group than other intervention groups.ConclusionWe concluded that LTP ingestion combined with regular aerobic exercise improves endothelium-dependent dilatation to a greater extent than monotherapy with either intervention alone in postmenopausal women.