Quercetin attenuates inflammatory processes after spinal cord injury in an animal model

Abstract

Objectives: We have shown earlier that administration of the flavonoid quercetin significantly contributed to recovery of motor function after spinal cord compression injury in the adult rat. Using the same animal model, we have now designed a set of experiments to test the hypothesis that quercetin attenuates oxidative stress-related inflammatory processes early after spinal cord trauma. Methods: Mid-thoracic spinal cord compression injury in adult male Wistar rats was caused by extradural application and closure of a 50 g calibrated aneurysm clip for 5 s. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were determined in spinal cord tissue and serum of quercetin-treated animals and controls at 6, 12, 24 and 72 h after injury. The white blood count was followed until 72 h after injury. Results: In quercetin-treated animals, MPO activity was significantly decreased in tissue at 12 and 24 h and in serum at 6, 12 and 24 h after injury, compared with saline controls. In quercetin-treated animals, the prevalence of ED-1 and MPO positive cells was significantly lower than in saline controls. White blood count in venous blood was significantly decreased in quercetin-treated animals at 12 and 24 h after injury. Conclusion: Quercetin attenuated the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of injury. The resulting lower MPO release in the injured tissue is likely to decrease the extent of secondary injury and might at least partially explain the neuroprotective effect of the flavonoid quercetin.

Prevention of Both Neutrophil and Monocyte Recruitment Promotes Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

“…These findings are perhaps not surprising as monocytes and neutrophils are each capable of promoting oxidative stress (Gilgun-Sherki et al, 2004;Infanger et al, 2006;Nguyen et al, 2007). Our results are compatible with those of previous studies showing that blocking leukocyte recruitment into the injured spinal cord reduces various indices of cellular oxidative stress (Bao et al, 2005;Fleming et al, 2008;Schultke et al, 2010).…”

Quercetin suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation and attenuates histopathology in a rat model of spinal cord injury

“…18 Recently, quercetin has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects by suppressing inflammation in SCI rats. 19 However, it is unclear whether the molecular mechanism of quercetin against SCI is related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.…”

Drug delivery, cell-based therapies, and tissue engineering approaches for spinal cord injury

“…Multiple groups have sought to demonstrate the involvement of iron in the progression of the secondary injury using iron chelation therapies, and have shown locomotor improvements and reduced pathologies (53–55). However oral administration of iron therapies such as chelating agents (e.g.…”