In vivo evaluation of effect of anthocyanin-rich wheat on rat liver microsomal drug-metabolizing cytochromes P450 and on biochemical and antioxidant parameters in rats

Wheat is one of the most important agricultural crops worldwide. Recently, anthocyanin-rich wheat genotypes were introduced to the market as a food with added value. In the experiment described here, two different genotypes with blue grain were studied (UC66049 and Skorpion). The aim of the investigation was to determine whether a 72-day-long intake of anthocyanin-rich wheat can influence the drug-metabolizing microsomal cytochromes P450 (using standard drug substrates of rat/human liver microsomal cytochromes P450) and antioxidant status, which indicated the ability of the rats' liver to metabolize drugs or xenobiotics. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich diet moderately increased the activity and mRNA expression of the studied CYPs by 20–55% relative to the control (with the exception of CYP2B1/2). The health status of rats was good; the weight gain was lower in the group with anthocyanin-rich UC66049 grain compared to the other two groups (control and Skorpion-fed one). The antioxidant power of plasma was mildly but significantly higher in the test groups, other antioxidant parameters remained unaffected, except for an increased level of total SH groups. Based on our observations, there will most likely be no significant influence of the consumption of anthocyanin-rich wheat on the metabolism of xenobiotics and drugs. [Display omitted] •Blue colored grain wheat as the rat feed affected some biochemical parameters but without physiological consequences.•An anthocyanin-rich diet increases the antioxidant status of rat blood in vivo.•The studied cytochromes P450 exhibited a moderate (20–50%) increase in their activities (with the exception of CYP2B1/2).