Protective Effects of Quercetin on Selenium-Induced Cataracts via Modulation of Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression

摘要

Background and Aim: Cataracts have the highest incidence among eye diseases, particularly blindness. Quercetin as a major flavonoid in the diet, can prevent cataracts. This study was aimed at investigating the molecular mechanism of the protective effects of quercetin in selenium-induced cataracts in Wistar rat. Materials and Methods: Ten-day old Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, all treated by intraperitoneal injection with 20 μM kg?1 sodium selenite to induce cataracts. The groups were a model group with no further treatment (A), a heated bath group (B), an Alanine-Glutamine treatment group (1.125 g kg?1; group, C) and a quercetin treatment group (400 mg kg?1, i.p., D). Expression level of HSP70 was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. 8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were assessed by ELISA assay. Results: The selenium-induced cataract model in rats was established successfully. The expression level of HSP70 in the groups B and C was significantly higher than that in group A. In contrast, the expression level of HSP70 in group D was significantly lower than that in group A (pConclusion: Quercetin has a protective effect on selenium-induced cataracts and probably modulates the expression of HSP70 to maintain homeostasis of oxidative stress .