Protective effects of quercetin against chronic mixed reflux esophagitis in rats by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB p65 and interleukin-8 signaling pathways

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effects of quercetin on chronic mixed reflux esophagitis (RE) in rats by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κBp65) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) signaling pathways. Methods: Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, with 8 rats in each group: the normal intact group, the sham operation group, the RE control group, the RE group treated with omeprazole or 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg quercetin. The animals were sacrificed after 6 weeks of different interventions. The pathological characteristics of esophageal mucosa were observed according to the diagnostic criteria and the expressions of NF-κBp65 and IL-8 were assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Compared with the RE control group, esophageal mucosal injury was improved and the expressions of NF-κBp65 and IL-8 were significantly decreased in the RE group treated with omeprazole or quercetin (P<0.05). Compared with the omeprazole group, the gross and microscopic scores of esophageal mucosal injury and the expressions of NF-κBp65 and IL-8 in the 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg quercetin groups were not increased (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the RE groups treated with 100mg/kg quercetin and 200mg/kg quercetin. Conclusion: Quercetin can prevent esophageal mucosal injury in RE rats by suppressing the NF-κBp65 and IL- 8 signaling pathways.