Protective mechanism of quercetin on acute myocardial infarction in rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT. To investigate the protective mechanism of quercetin on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats, an AMI rat model was established by ligating the left coronary anterior descending branch. The rats were randomly divided into the model group and low-and high-dose quercetin groups. The control group comprised sham-operated rats. The rats in the low-and high-dose quercetin groups were administered 100 and 400 mg/ kg quercetin, respectively, by gavage. The rats in the control and model groups were administered isometric normal saline once daily for one week. The mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the myocardial tissue of rats were detected in each group by real time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the myocardial tissue and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were detected using a colorimetric method. The level of apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Compared with those in the control group, the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA content in the model, low-, and high-dose groups significantly increased. SOD and CAT activities decreased significantly. The cell apoptosis index increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with those in the model group, the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and MDA content in myocardial tissue of rats in the low-dose and high-dose groups decreased significantly. SOD and CAT activities increased significantly. The cell apoptosis index significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In conclusion, quercetin has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects on AMI rats and can effectively protect against myocardium damage.

Phenolic Compounds Exerting Lipid-Regulatory, Anti-Inflammatory and Epigenetic Effects as Complementary Treatments in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…The decrease of the atherosclerotic lesions was not associated with the improvement of the lipid profile, but with the decreased inflammatory stress, measured as decreased IL-1 receptor, IKK and STAT3 [169,174]. In the rat model of acute myocardial infarction, quercetin administration determined the reduction of TNF-α, IL-1β expression in the myocardial tissue, in parallel with an increase of the antioxidant SOD and catalase activities [175]. Recently, a few clinical studies regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin in human subjects were published, but the results are controversial.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin as an Antiatherosclerotic Agent in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

“…As such, the pharmacological implications of the effects of the methylated metabolites of Qu with respect to the antiplatelet effects of aspirin are worthy of consideration. Apart from these actions, one more recent study showed that Qu processes an antiapoptotic effect in ischemic myocardial damage [108]. Altogether, these studies demonstrated that Qu may be a promising drug for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis in ASCVD.…”

Antioxidant Activities of Quercetin and Its Complexes for Medicinal Application

“…A recent study showed that oxidative stress is an important factor involved in the development of AMI. Quercetin significantly decreases MDA content, increases SOD and CAT activity, and regulates anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis processes to effectively protect against myocardium injury [87]. In addition, quercetin protects the heart from secondary cardiac dysfunction due to oxidative stress and inflammation.…”