Effects of Chicken Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation Alone or Combined With Concurrent Training on Arterial Stiffness in Adults With Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hypertension (HT) is associated with vascular dysfunction, chronic low-grade inflammation, and increased arterial stiffness, all of which contribute to elevated cardiovascular risk. Lifestyle-based interventions incorporating nutritional and exercise strategies may provide complementary vascular benefits. This study investigated the effects of chicken protein hydrolysate supplementation, administered alone or combined with concurrent training (CT), on arterial stiffness, blood pressure (BP), inflammatory markers, and physical fitness in adults with HT. In this randomized controlled trial, adults with HT who completed the study were included in the analysis: control (CON, n = 12), chicken protein hydrolysate supplementation alone (PRO, n = 10; 28 g/day), and supplementation combined with CT (PRO + CT, n = 12) following the 8-week intervention. BP, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and physical fitness outcomes-including peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak) and upper- and lower-body muscular endurance-were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Significant group × time interactions were observed for baPWV (p < 0.01), hs-CRP (p < 0.01), V̇O2peak (p < 0.01), and upper- and lower-body muscular endurance (p < 0.01). Both PRO and PRO + CT demonstrated greater reductions in baPWV compared with CON (p < 0.05). Significant reductions in hs-CRP were observed in both PRO and PRO + CT groups (p < 0.01); however, only PRO + CT demonstrated a significantly greater reduction compared with CON (p < 0.05). Improvements in V̇O2peak and muscular endurance occurred exclusively in the PRO + CT group (p < 0.01), whereas changes in BP were modest across intervention groups. Chicken protein hydrolysate supplementation, particularly when combined with CT, was associated with improvements in arterial stiffness, while the combined intervention further improved inflammatory status and physical fitness outcomes. These findings suggest a potential role for combined nutritional and exercise-based lifestyle interventions in improving vascular function in adults with HT. Trial Registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20251210008.