PROTECTION OF QUERCETIN AGAINST HEPATIC ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY IN RATS

Objective: To investigate the effect of quercetin on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI) in rats.Methods: Quercetin was administered intragastrically. Vitamin C was used as positive control. HIRI was induced by blocking and then releasing portal vein and hepatic artery in rats. The hepatic content of quercetin was analyzed by HPLC. Plasma GPT, GOT activities, MDA concentration and hepa-tic GSH and MDA contents, GSH-Px, SOD, XO activities, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), ROS, DNA fragmentation were measured.Results: After HIRI, plasma GPT, GOT activities and MDA concentration were increased significantly. Hepatic GSH and TAOC were decreased remarkably. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased while XO activity, ROS production and DNA fragmentation increased. Intragastric administration of quercetin increased hepatic quercetin and decreased ROS production and plasma activities of GPT, GOT and MDA concentration. Hepatic GSH and SOD, GSH-Px activities and TAOC also recovered remarkably, but no significant change in DNA fragmentation. Vitamin C was also effective in protecting against HIRI. Conclusion: Quercetin is effective against HIRI. The mechanism is associated with increased hepatic antioxidant capacity.