Intensive Running Enhances NF-κB Activity in the Mice Liver and the Intervention Effects of Quercetin

Abstract

Background: Emerging evidence has supported that intensive exercise induces weakened performance and immune and metabolic disorders. We systematically evaluated the effects of quercetin against hepatic inflammatory damage caused by repeated intensive exercise and explored the potential mechanism. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were administered quercetin (100 mg/kg BW) for four weeks, and performed a treadmill running protocol of 28 m/min, 5° slope, 90 min/day concurrently for the last seven days. Results: Quercetin administration reduced the leakage of aspartic acid and alanine aminotransferase and improved ultrastructural abnormalities such as swelling, and degeneration caused by high-intensity running in mice. Quercetin significantly decreased the hepatic and plasmatic levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1—provoked by over-exercise. Furthermore, diminished activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB were found after quercetin treatment through inhibiting IKKα and Iκbα phosphorylation of intensive running mice. Conclusion: Quercetin offers protection for mouse livers against intensive sports-induced inflammatory injury, and the suppression of the NF-κB signal transduction pathway may play a role in its anti-inflammatory effects. Our findings broaden our understanding of natural phytochemicals as a promising strategy to prevent excessive exercise damage.

Oral Delivery of Chitosan Derivative-Based Nanoparticles Encapsulating Quercetin to Attenuate Intestinal Injury and Regulate Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Mucositis Treatment

“…Pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines play a central role in the modulation of the intestinal immune system, and inflammatory cytokines can be used to assess the inflammation level. , Moreover, NF-κB inhibition is required for the decrease in epithelial TJs permeability, which suggests that NF-κB signaling is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of intestinal inflammation . In addition, NF-κB in intestinal tissue could be activated by 5-Fu, and it further induced the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 , leading to the destruction of intestinal barrier function. , QUE plays a significant role to promote the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 . The inflammation-related mRNA in the jejunum and colon was analyzed for the C, 5-Fu, QUE-CDNPs, QUE, and CDNPs groups (Figure C–F).…”

“…Nanoscale carriers encapsulating natural compounds have been designed and used for effective delivery. − Encapsulating the compounds within nanoliposomes or polymer nanoparticles can result in visible improvement in the above-mentioned unfavorable properties. , Polymer nanoparticles, such as a nano-sized hydrogel, whose three-dimensional network properties are similar to those of intestinal mucosa matrix, have received considerable interest . However, the potential toxicity associated with delivery materials poses additional limitations; therefore, the utilization of food-grade polymer nanoparticles encapsulating QUE is a promising approach to enhance therapeutic efficacy compared with the corresponding unencapsulated compounds in various animal experiments.…”

Research progress of phenolic compounds regulating IL‐6 to exert antitumor effects

“…This flavonoid compound is found in many foods and herbs, including daily foods such as green beans, tomatoes, grapes, and apples, as well as herbs such as ginkgo, milk thistle, etc (Brito, Lima, Cordeiro, & da Cruz Nizer, 2021). Quercetin can not only improve human metabolism and reduce sports injury through the IL‐6/NF‐kB pathway (Gao et al, 2020), but also regulate the activation of the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway, thus achieving antiinflammatory, antioxidative, anticancer, and anti‐allergy effects (“Quercetin,” 2012).…”

Sulforaphane Inhibits Exhaustive Exercise-Induced Liver Injury and Transcriptome-Based Mechanism Analysis

“…Hepatocytes are rich in glycogen, which is an essential nutrient during intense exercise in consistently providing energy; at the same time, hepatocytes are also rich in mitochondria, which can generate amounts of ATP efficiently through the oxidative phosphorylation process for the cellular requirement. Studies have shown that vigorous exercise can cause acute liver injury characterized by alterations of liver enzymes in the serum [ 6 ], and liver morphological abnormality, oxidative stress, and inflammation were also detected in exhaustive exercise models of animals [ 7 ]. However, the mechanisms and potential targets underlying vigorous exercise-caused liver damage are still unclear; thus, there is a lack of prevention and treatment means.…”