Some peptides obtained by the cleavage of corn proteins, mainly zein (a prolamin similar to gluten gliadin), have demonstrated a TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha) inhibitory capacity, which would generate an inhibition in the expression of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein 1) and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion protein 1), which are protein molecules related to inflammation and various pathologies of the cardiovascular system, including atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is atherosclerosis.