Effects of chronic quercetin treatment of hepatic oxidative status of spontaneously hypertensive rats

摘要

The effects of chronic administration of an oral daily dose of quercetin (10 mg Kg~(-1)), the most abundant dietary flavonoid, were investigated on hepatic oxidative status in spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats. Decreased liver glutathione peroxidase activity, increased liver total glutathione levels and increased both hepatic and plasmatic malondialdehyde concentrations were observed in spontaneously hypertensive rats when compared to Wistar Kyoto rats. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, treatment with quercetin for 5 weeks reduced blood pressure, increased glutathione peroxidase activity and reduced both plasma and hepatic malondialdehyde levels. However, none of these effects were observed in Wistar Kyoto rats. In conclusion, quercetin shows both antihypertensive and antioxidant properties in this model of genetic hypertension.