Preventive Effects of Quercetin against the Onset of Atherosclerosis-Related Acute Aortic Syndromes in Mice

Abstract

Atherosclerosis-related acute aortic syndromes, such as aortic aneurysms or aortic dissection are life-threatening diseases. Since they develop suddenly and progress rapidly, the establishment of preventive strategies is urgently needed. Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in various vegetables and fruits, is suggested to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, in this study, the preventive effect of quercetin was evaluated using a mouse model of aortic aneurysm and dissection. The model was established by administering angiotensin II (Ang II) and β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a lysyl oxidase inhibitor, to mice to induce hypertension and degeneration of the elastic lamina, which would eventually result in the onset of an aortic aneurysm. Ang II, BAPN, and a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor was administered to induce aortic dissection via endothelial dysfunction. Quercetin (60 mg/kg/day) was administered 2 weeks before inducing aortic diseases by the end of the experiments (8 weeks in the aneurysm model, 6 weeks in the dissection model). It was found to reduce the incidence of aneurysm (from 72 to 45%), dissection (from 17 to 10%), and rupture (from 33 to 15%) in mice. Elastin degradation was ameliorated in the quercetin-treated mice compared to that in the mice without quercetin treatment (degradation score 2.9 ± 0.3 vs 2.2 ± 0.2). Furthermore, quercetin suppressed the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, macrophage infiltration, and pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity. Our results suggest that quercetin might prevent the onset of atherosclerosis-related acute aortic syndromes through its anti-inflammatory and endothelial cell-protective effects.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Decipher the Mechanism of Action of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction in Treating Atherosclerosis

“… 23 Clinical application and pharmacological studies have found that quercetin might prevent the onset of atherosclerosis-related acute aortic syndromes through its anti-inflammatory and endothelial cell-protective effects. 24 Kaempferol is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid commonly found in plants. 25 Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induces endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis, and kaempferol was reported to alleviate ox-LDL-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and provide benefits for atherosclerosis treatment.…”

Comparative histological study of the potential protective effect of Acarbose, Linagliptin and Quercetin on the aorta of type 2 diabetic rat

“…It is stated that it modulates the hyperglycemic state in different ways including, inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption, modifying insulin secretion and improving glucose consumption in peripheral tissues [13] . In addition, other studies reported that Quercetin has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, which is assumed to be due to its antioxidative effect causing endothelium protection and anti-inflammatory impact [12,47] . Similar to our results, Kondo et al 2020 reported the protective effect of Quercetin on elastin degradation in mice with an induced aortic disease [47] .…”

Potential therapeutic effects and applications of Eucommiae Folium in secondary hypertension

“…QU can reduce BP and has therapeutic potential as a cardiovascular agent [ 36 ]. QU also affects the function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the progression of cardiovascular diseases and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases [ 37 ]. The vascular relaxation mechanism of QU in EF is endothelial-dependent [ 38 , 39 ].…”