Corn gluten hydrolysate regulates the expressions of antioxidant defense and ROS metabolism relevant genes in H2O2-induced HepG2 cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants are known to influence the expressions of a number of genes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of corn gluten hydrolysate (CGH) on the expressions of antioxidant defense and ROS metabolism relevant genes in HepG2 cells. Eighty-four genes involving in antioxidant defense and ROS metabolism were analyzed. The results showed that the genes such as GPX3, GPX5, SOD3, CYGB, SEPP1 and MT3 that down-regulated in oxidative damaged HepG2 cells were, however, up-regulated in CGH1 (molecular weights < 1 kDa)-pretreated cells, suggesting that CGH1 could improve the expressions of several antioxidant genes that were initially suppressed by oxidative stress. In addition, pathway analysis demonstrated that antioxidant ability of CGH1 was associated with arachidonic acid metabolism (P < .05). CGH1 reduced the expression of EPHX2, which may protect against H2O2-induced cell membrane damage by increasing cellular epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) and forming EET-phospholipids for cell membrane.