Digestates of pea and fava bean proteins induce FGF19 in human intestinal HT29 cells: Evidence for a potential role of PPARγ

Plant-based proteins are promising alternatives to animal proteins for supporting muscle synthesis and preventing sarcopenia. This study examined whether protein digestates (PDs) from pea and fava bean isolates modulate intestinal Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF19), a hormone central to energy and muscle mass regulation. Human HT29 cells were exposed to PDs, GW4064 (FXR agonist), or rosiglitazone (PPARγ agonist). FGF19 secretion was assessed by ELISA, gene expression by RT-qPCR, and FXR protein by Western-blot. At 6 h, PDs alone had no effect on FGF19 expression but potentiated GW4064 activity by lowering its EC₅₀. At 24 h, PDs modestly increased FGF19 and continued to potentiate GW4064 activity. Rosiglitazone + GW4064 markedly increased FGF19 and FXR expression, an effect abolished by GW9662 (PPARγ inhibitor), confirming PPARγ involvement. GW9662 also suppressed FGF19 induction by PDs + GW4064. Thus, PPARγ may regulate the FXR–FGF19 axis in enterocytes. Both PDs and rosiglitazone enhance FXR-mediated FGF19, with PDs partly acting through PPARγ. Pea and fava bean proteins may offer nutritional strategies for metabolic health and sarcopenia prevention. • Pea and fava bean protein digestates boost FXR-mediated FGF19 expression in human intestinal cells. • Pea and fava bean protein digestates lower GW4064 EC₅₀, enhancing FGF19 induction by the FXR agonist. • PPARγ contributes to the regulation of the FXR–FGF19 axis and pea and fava bean protein digestates partly activate this axis. • Natural PPARγ activators in plant proteins may support metabolic health.