1 research outputs found
Hepatic Nrf2 expression is altered by quercetin supplementation in X-irradiated rats
P. 539-546Wholeâbody irradiation has been associated with liver function alterations. Ionizing radiation exposure increases oxidative stress and antioxidants can activate transcription of antioxidant target genes. In the present study, modifications of the liver antioxidant system were evaluated at 7 and 30 days following subâlethal wholeâbody Xâirradiation in male Wistar rats, which were intragastrically supplemented with quercetin or control solvent for 4 days prior to and 6 days following irradiation. Animal groups were as follows: CS, control, solventâsupplemented; CQ, control, quercetinâsupplemented; RS, irradiated, solventâsupplemented; and RQ, irradiated, quercetinâsupplemented. After 7 days, liver tissue from RS animals demonstrated marked hydropic panlobular degeneration with Mallory bodies in ballooning hepatocytes. These changes were mostly reversed in RQ rats. Lipid peroxidation in addition to copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnâSOD), nuclear factor (erythroidâderived 2)âlike 2 (Nrf2) and Kelchâlike ECHâassociated protein 1 (Keap1) protein expression levels were all increased by Xâirradiation, but significantly decreased by quercetin supplementation. Catalase (CAT) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) expression levels remained high in irradiated rats regardless of quercetin supplementation. After 30 days, the liver from RS animals had small portal infiltrates and diffuse cytoplasmic vacuolization, with reduced lipid peroxidation and reduced expression levels of CAT, NQO1, Nrf2 and Keap1, but consistently elevated Cu/ZnâSOD expression. RQ animals indicated reduced expression levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 30 days after irradiation. The present study demonstrated a quercetinâinduced reduction of the oxidative stressâassociated increase in Nrf2 expression that may be useful for preventing cancer cell survival in response to ionizing radiation exposure.S