Black corn (Zea mays L.) whole flour improved the antioxidant capacity and prevented adipogenesis in mice fed a high-fat diet

Food Funct. 2022 May 23;13(10):5590-5601. doi: 10.1039/d1fo04205j.

Abstract

Black corn (Zea mays L.) is a source of anthocyanins, which have shown the ability to reduce metabolic disorders. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-adipogenic preventive effects of black corn. C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups (n = 10): normal control (NC): AIN-93 M; high-fat diet (HF); HF + corn (20%) (HFC). Black corn improved the antioxidant status, through the superoxide dismutase hepatic levels and serum total antioxidant capacity. Animals fed an HFC diet showed decreased gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and increased gene expression of adiponectin and lipoprotein lipase in the adipose tissue, which led to a less inflammatory infiltrate and decreased the adipocyte number and length. In the liver, black corn reduced the gene expression of SREBP-1c and acetyl CoA carboxilase 1. Therefore, black corn whole flour improved the antioxidant capacity, contributed to hepatic β-oxidation, and decreased adipogenesis in animals.

MeSH terms

  • Adipogenesis* / genetics
  • Animals
  • Anthocyanins / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Diet, High-Fat* / adverse effects
  • Flour
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / genetics
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Zea mays

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Antioxidants
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1