ABC | Volume 115, Nº1, July 2020

Original Article Quercetin Ameliorates Lipid and Apolipoprotein Profile in High-Dose Glucocorticoid Treated Rats Hoda Derakhshanian, 1, 2 Mahmoud Djalali, 3 Abolghassem Djazayery, 4 Mohammad Hassan Javanbakht, 3 Mahnaz Zarei, 3 Azita Hekmatdoost, 5 Ghazaleh Eslamian, 6 Seyyedeh Somayyeh Mirhashemi, 1 Ahmad Reza Dehpour 7 Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, 1 Karaj - Iran Department of Biochemistry Nutrition and Genetics, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, 2 Karaj - Iran Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 3 Tehran - Iran Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 4 Tehran - Iran Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 5 Tehran - Iran Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 6 Tehran - Iran Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 7 Tehran - Iran Mailing Address: Hoda Derakhshanian • Alborz University of Medical Sciences - Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center - Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Safarian St., Golshahr St. Karaj 3198764653 - Iran E-mail: h.derakhshanian@abzums.ac.ir Manuscript received December 05, 2018, revised manuscript June 30, 2019, accepted August 14, 2019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36660/abc.20180397 Abstract Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely prescribed for the treatment of numerous clinical disorders due to their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties and one of the most common untoward effects of these drugs is dyslipidemia. Objective: To evaluate the effect of quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid, on the lipid profile of high-dose glucocorticoid treated rats. Methods: A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats, were randomly distributed among four groups (8 rats per group) and treated for 6 weeks with one of the following: (i) normal saline; (ii) 40 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MP); (iii) MP + 50 mg/kg quercetin; (iv) MP + 150 mg/kg quercetin. MP was injected subcutaneously, and quercetin was administered by oral gavage 3 days a week. At the end of the study, the animals’ lipid profile was measured by enzymatic kits. Data were analyzed and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The mean serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and LDL levels were drastically increased in GC-treated animals compared with the control group. Both doses of quercetin (50 and 150 mg/kg) ameliorated TC (43% and 45%), LDL (56% and 56%) and TG (46% and 55% respectively). Apo B/A1 ratio decreased more than 20% following quercetin intake and the decline in TC/HDL, TG/HL, LDL/HDL ratios were significant. Conclusions: These data suggest that quercetin intake with both doses of 50 and 150 mg/kg could be considered as a protective agent for glucocorticoid-induced dyslipidemia. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(1):102-108.) Keywords: Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Quercetin; Glucocorticoids; Dyslipidemias; Triglycerides; Cholesterol. Introduction Glucocorticoids such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone are widely prescribed for the treatment of numerous clinical disorders, including pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematological, skin, and renal diseases, as well as organ transplants, particularly due to their anti‑inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties. 1 Although these drugs have such benefits, their adverse effects such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and obesity must be taken seriously. 2 Impaired lipid metabolism, as one of the most common undesirable reactions, in high-dose or long-term GC users, resembles Cushing’s syndrome. In other words, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are highly prevalent in patients undergoing GC therapy for prolonged periods and may ultimately lead to risks for atherosclerosis. 3-4 However, when the administration of these immunosuppressive drugs is inevitable, one should look for some drugs or natural products to minimize their untoward effects. Que r c e t i n , 3 , 3 ’ , 4 ’ , 5 , 7 - Pen t ahyd r ox y f l a vone , 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen- 4-one, C15H10O7, is a plant-derived flavonoid, isolated from onions, apples, grapes, leafy vegetables and tea. 5,6 102