Novel wheat peptide GYP ameliorates Helicobacter pylori infection with AMPK activation

Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is a common microaerobic gram-negative bacteria. It colonizes the stomach of human causing gastritis and then gastric cancer. Currently, H. pylori infection is clinically limited to antibiotic-based therapies. With the widespread use of antibiotics, resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics may be a major reason for treatment failure. Therefore, it is imperative to develop alternative strategies to eradicate H. pylori . In the present study, a peptide GYP was identified from wheat germ protein hydrolysate. The minimum bactericidal concentration of synthesized GYP on 1×10 8 CFU/mL H. pylori was 5 mg/mL, accompanied with cell membrane disruption. Meanwhile, GYP inhibited the urease activity of H. pylori and decreased toxin gene vacuolar cytotoxin A and cytotoxin-associated gene A expression. Furthermore, GYP prevented H. pylori colonization in mouse stomach, and subsequently reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, eliminated gastric vascular congestion and improved gastritis induced by H. pylori . In consistent with this, GYP interfered adhesion of H. pylori on the surface of human gastric mucosal epithelial cells. It further protected gastric mucosal epithelial cells against apoptosis triggered by H. pylori . Therefore, GYP might be a promising anti -H. pylori peptide for the alleviation of H. pylori -induced inflammation and subsequent impairment of gastric mucosa. A peptide GYP was identified from wheat germ protein hydrolysate. GYP inhibited growth of H. pylori with cell membrane disruption. Furthermore, GYP prevented H. pylori colonization in mouse stomach, and improved gastritis induced by H. pylori . In consistent with this, GYP protected gastric mucosal epithelial cells against apoptosis triggered by H. pylori , which was associated with AMPK activation. Therefore, GYP might be a promising anti -H. pylori peptide for the alleviation of H. pylori -induced inflammation and subsequent impairment of gastric mucosa. • A peptide GYP was purified and identified from wheat germ protein hydrolysate. • GYP inhibited growth of H. pylori with cell membrane destruction. • GYP prevented H. pylori colonization in mouse stomach, and ameliorated gastritis. • GYP protected gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) from disruption by H. pylori. • GYP suppressed GES-1 cells apoptosis associated with AMPK activation.