Evaluation of antioxidant and immunity activities of quercetin in isoproterenol-treated rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on myocardial oxidative stress and immunity function impairment induced by isoproterenol in rats. To induce myocardial ischemia, Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol (70 mg/kg). Blood immunity index, cardiac marker enzymes and antioxidative parameters in hearts were measured. It was found that the levels of blood AST, creatine kinase, NO, NOS, IL-10, IL-1, IL-8 and lactate dehydrogenase in isoproterenol-treated rats were significantly increased. The rats administrated with isoproterenol showed the declines in myocardial antioxidant enzymes activities. Administration of quercetin significantly ameliorated myocardial oxidative injury and immunity function impairment induced by isoproterenol. The results indicated that quercetin possesses activity against isoproterenol-induced myocardial oxidative injury and immunity function impairment, and that the mechanism of pharmacological action was related at least in part to the antioxidant activity of quercetin.