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.