Methodologies for bioactivity assay: animal study

Abstract Animal studies can increase the accuracy in revealing the molecular mechanisms of bioactive peptides from food sources regarding specific disease prevention. However, so far, methods of animal models for assessing active food peptides are not well classified. For instance, the most effective route of administration, the dosage selection of active peptides in animal experiments, and the age and sex of the animals depending on the biological activity pursued. The establishment of an adequate animal model affects the experimental results and the presentation of the molecular mechanisms of the active peptides. Also, the processing of extensive data and multiple methods of data analysis, bioethics, and safety are of paramount importance. This chapter presents detailed methodologies on animal models for the evaluation of bioactivity of food peptides, especially for the prevention of hypertension and metabolic dysfunction. Several publications were obtained from the Web of Science, Elsevier databases, the website of the US Department of Agriculture, among others. The objectives of this chapter were to focus on the description of methods to administer peptides from food sources in animal models. In addition the classification of assays and the optimal selection for animal models which are essential to evaluate hypertension and its related cardiovascular diseases and metabolic dysfunction were investigated. Finally, to introduce the multivariate data analysis methods targeted at extensive data. The animal model approach needs to be tailored to the specific bioactivity of the food peptides. This chapter describes the rat and mice models used in the prevention of hypertension and metabolic dysfunction.