title: Dietary corn fractions reduce atherogenesis in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice.
abstract: Accumulating evidence has suggested that intake of whole grains is a protective factor against pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. The exact mechanisms, however, are still not clearly understood. In this study, we hypothesized that adequate intake of corn fractions (aleurone, endosperm and germ) can modify lipid profiles in relation to atherosclerotic lesion development in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr-KO) mice. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential cardiovascular benefits of corn fractions in LDLr-KO mice through a number of biomarkers including lipid profile, and morphologic and morphometrical analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in aortic root. Four groups of male LDLr-KO mice were fed with the experimental diets supplemented with (3 treated) or without (control) 5% (wt/wt) of each of corn fractions for 10 weeks. All diets were supplemented with 0.06% (wt/wt) cholesterol. Compared with mice in the control group, atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic roots were significantly reduced (P=.003) in the mice that were fed diet supplemented with aleurone and germ fractions. This effect was associated with significant reductions in plasma total (P=.02) and LDL (P=.03) cholesterol levels, and an increase in fecal cholesterol excretion (P=.04). Furthermore, abdominal fat mass was significantly reduced by consumption of aleurone (P=.03). In summary, the consumption of aleurone and germ may help attenuate atherosclerosis by reducing plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba, 250 Ellis Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, 209 Human Ecology Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba, 196 Innovation DriveSmart Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 6C5; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St Boniface Hospital Research Centre, 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H 2A6.
authors.forename: Kabo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, 209 Human Ecology Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St Boniface Hospital Research Centre, 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H 2A6.
authors.forename: Khuong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, 209 Human Ecology Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St Boniface Hospital Research Centre, 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H 2A6.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghazzawi
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, 209 Human Ecology Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St Boniface Hospital Research Centre, 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H 2A6.
authors.forename: Mohammed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Moghadasian
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba, 250 Ellis Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba, 196 Innovation DriveSmart Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 6C5. Electronic address: Trust.Beta@umanitoba.ca.
authors.forename: Trust
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beta
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002523:Edible Grain; D056625:Endosperm; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010940:Plant Proteins; D018514:Plant Structures; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000517:prevention & control; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003313:Zea mays
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011973:Receptors, LDL; C000624173:aleurone
keywords: Atherosclerotic lesions; Corn fractions; LDL-receptor knockout mice; Lipid profile