Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Adlay Seed Protein in Diabetic Mice

In this study, the effect of adlay seed protein on inflammation in diabetic mice and the regulation mechanism of IKK/NF-κB inflammatory pathway were investigated. A model of type 2 diabetes mellitus was established using a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin in mice. Doses of adlay seed protein, polysaccharides and a mixture were administered to diabetic mice. After gavage for four weeks, organ indices were measured. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 content. Semi-quantitative PCR was used to detect nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor protein kinase complex (IKKβ), nuclear factor kappa-β (NF-κB) p65 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The results suggested that adlay seed protein and polysaccharide gavage can effectively reduce organ index, reduce the levels of many inflammatory cytokines, and significantly decrease the expression of IKKβ, NF-κB p65 and TLR4 genes. This indicates that adlay seed protein can effectively improve insulin resistance and inflammation in diabetic mice. The mechanism of this finding could be the inhibition of the IKK/NF-κB inflammatory pathway, which reduces the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby decreasing inflammatory responses in diabetic mice.