There is provided an agent having at least one of an improving effect on
vascular endothelial functions and an inhibitory effect on vascular
intimal thickening, as well as a prophylactic of arteriosclerosis, which
have excellent safety, improve functions associated with the vascular
endothelium, have effects of preventing various diseases associated with
vascular endothelial functions and of inhibiting vascular intimal
thickening, and may be expected to provide prophylactic effect on
arteriosclerosis or the like. The agents of the present invention
contain, as an active component: (a) Xaa-Pro-Pro, (b) a hydrolysate of
animal milk casein containing Xaa-Pro-Pro, or a concentrate thereof, or
(c) a fermentation product containing Ile-Pro-Pro and/or Val-Pro-Pro
obtained by fermenting a starting material containing milk protein with a
bacterial strain of the species Lactobacillus helveticus.