Low level of red seaweed Pyropia columbina added to extruded maize products promotes colonic and systemic antioxidant environment in growing Wistar rats

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of consumption of extruded maize product added with a low level of the red seaweed Pyropia columbina on colonic and systemic oxidative status using a growing Wistar rat model. Twenty-four (n = 24) male Wistar rats were fed for 60 days with control (C), extruded maize product group (M), or extruded maize product added with red seaweed P. columbina (MP) diets. Rats fed whit MP showed higher catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) colon expression than those fed with M or C. Beneficial effects on intestinal mucosal barrier function were observed, which was manifested in decrease of cecal pH (10%) and mucinase activity (67%) and increase of sIgA content (53%). Rats fed with MP diet showed lower cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2; 43%), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; 49%), and NF-κβ transcription factor (27%) expression in distal colon than those fed with M or C diets. Also, MP diet exerted a significant antioxidant effect on the serum and liver, increasing hepatic redox index, CAT, and GR activity. Apparent calcium absorption, total skeleton bone mineral content, and bone mineral density of total body were the same among groups. The type of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds from P. columbina could promote antioxidant environment in growing Wistar rats.