LAUSR

Abstract Wheat protein contributes a significant part in human diet, apart from its well-known nutritional values, wheat gluten/gliadin proteins are also responsible for the many allergic/inflammatory diseases and chronic inflammation in the small intestine may cause diarrhea and malabsorption, in a specific population of individuals. In the present study, the antigenic characteristics of twelve wheat varieties of diverse origin namely C273, C281, C286, C306, C518, C591, Agra Local, 9D, 8A, Raj4229, HD3027, NP824 released during 1920–2012 were evaluated. Gliadin proteins from these varieties were tested on human colon cancer cell line HCT116 to assess their effect on inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines. The results show that these wheat varieties induced high levels of ROS/RNS and MPO activity which was further supported by the increase in the mRNA levels of a cytokine such as IL-1β and IL-15. It can be concluded that gliadin from these wheat varieties is suggested to act as a potential antigen by enhancing the level of inflammation irrespective of their year of release and origin which if not controlled may lead to the initiation of celiac disease in genetically susceptible individuals or may be responsible for other wheat protein intolerance associated diseases.