We investigated the effect of quercetin on growth and plasma cholesterol level and the effects of quercetin pretreatment (Diet 1, 0%; Diet 2, 0.25%; and Diet 3, 0.5% quercetin) for 30 and 60 days on oxidative stress induced by hypo-osmotic conditions (17.5, 8.75, and 4 psu) in olive flounder. The weights of flounder were higher with Diet 3 than with Diet 1 and 2, which indicated that a high concentration (Diet 3) of quercetin was very effective in growth. Total cholesterol levels were lower with Diets 2 and 3 than with Diet 1, leading us to hypothesize that quercetin removed low-density lipoproteins from circulation and thereby reduced total cholesterol. To understand the antioxidant role of quercetin, we measured the mRNA expression and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the H 2 O 2 concentration in quercetin-treated flounder exposed to osmotic stress. The H 2 O 2 concentration and the SOD and CAT expression and activity levels were lower in flounder fed with Diets 2 and 3 than with Diet 1, suggesting that quercetin directly scavenges reactive oxygen species to reduce oxidative stress. Furthermore, the plasma lysozyme activity and osmolality were higher with Diets 2 and 3 than with Diet 1, indicating that quercetin increases immune function and helps to maintain physiological homeostasis. Plasma cortisol was lower with Diets 2 and 3 than with Diet 1, suggesting the quercetin protects against stress. These results indicate that quercetin has hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant effects, increases immune function, and acts to maintain physiological homeostasis.

We investigated the antioxidant efficacy of quercetin (0% Diet 1, 0.25% Diet 2, and 0.5% Diet 3) pretreatment for 30 and 60 days in response to cadmium (Cd) toxicity in the olive flounder, and measured the plasma lysozyme activity to understand the immune effects of quercetin. The lysozyme activity with Diets 2 and 3 was higher than with Diet 1. Based on this result, to examine the immune ability and antioxidant role of quercetin, we exposed olive flounder fed quercetin to Cd and then measured the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). With Diets 2 and 3, the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and the H 2 O 2 concentration were lower than with Diet 1. In addition, the LPO levels were lower than with Diet 1, which protected the cell membrane. Therefore, quercetin removed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by Cd, indicating that quercetin has antioxidant ability. In addition to its antioxidant ability, quercetin has immune effects.

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