Impact of Corn Oil on Biochemical and Neurochemical Markers in an Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND

The ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids is vital for brain health, supporting cognitive development and helping to prevent chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative processes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of corn oil on the biochemical and neurochemical parameters of Drosophila melanogaster expressing human amyloid precursor protein β42 (APP-β42).

METHODS

The flies were fed a diet supplemented with 37.8 mg/mL of corn oil from the larval stage until adulthood.

RESULTS

A diet supplemented with corn oil induced significant changes in biochemical markers, such as a decrease in head cholesterol levels (p < 0.001); decreased catalase activity and hydrogen peroxide levels in the heads (p < 0.0001) and thoracic muscles (p < 0.0001); reduced glutathione levels in the heads (p < 0.0001) and muscles (p < 0.01); and reduced formazan production (p < 0.01) and citrate synthase (CS) activity (p < 0.0001) in the head. However, in thoracic muscle, ingestion of corn oil led to an increase in formazan production (p < 0.01) and no significant change in CS activity. Lactate levels decreased in the heads (p < 0.0001) and thoraces (p < 0.001) after flies were fed corn oil. Finally, ingestion of corn oil resulted in a significant rise in acetylcholinesterase activity in the heads (p < 0.001) and thoracic muscles (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that consuming corn oil reduces the oxidative stress typical of an Alzheimer's disease model by enhancing antioxidant defenses.