Conventional and germinated pearl millet flour (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) improves iron metabolism and antioxidant capacity in Wistar rats

The study evaluated the effect of the consumption of pearl millet whole grain pre-cooked conventional, germinated and extruded flours on iron metabolism and antioxidant capacity in rats. The animals received iron-free standard diet (SD iron-free) for 28 days and subsequently, were separated into 4 groups: ferrous sulfate (SD + FS), conventional millet flour (SD + CM), germinated millet flour (SD + GM), and extruded millet flour (SD + EM), for 21 days. The SD iron free group presented increased ferroportin, hephaestin and ferritin gene expression and MDA concentration compared to the SD + FS group. The SD + GM group increased DcytB, ferroportin and hephaestin gene expression. The SD + EM group increased the concentration of transferrin compared to the SD + FS group and serum iron, compared to the other groups, while reducing the liver's total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The SD + CM group increased ferritin expression. All test groups increased the gene expression of DMT1 and hephaestin, as well as serum iron and reduced transferrin, Nrf2 and TNF gene expression, and MDA, NO, SOD and CAT levels in relation to the SD + FS group. In view of this, millet provides promising bioavailability of iron. Besides, germination stands out for improving iron metabolism in relation to extrusion and is similar to conventional millet in antioxidant capacity.