Scientists from Hallym University in Korea report in the American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology that anthocyanin-rich purple corn may inhibit multiple pathways involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy.
The research also suggests that supplementation with purple corn anthocyanins may be an important strategy in preventing renal vascular disease in type-2 diabetes, they added.
The researchers cultured cells in the lab in solutions of varying concentrations of anthocyanins, and then assessed for level of monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, a major factor in the hardening of the glomerulus in the kidney of diabetics (diabetic glomerulosclerosis). This was corroborated with data from experiments with lab mice fed a diet supplemented with the purple corn extracts for eight weeks.
Results showed that the anthocyanins inhibited pathways that led to diabetic glomerulosclerosis, as well as the induction of some inflammatory processes in the mice.
Source: American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00106.2012
“Purple corn anthocyanins inhibit diabetes-associated glomerular monocyte activation and macrophage infiltration”
Authors: M-K. Kang, J. Li, J-L. Kim, J-H. Gong, et al.