Abstract |
Epidemiological studies suggest that the intake of flavonoids is inversely associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, but there is no evidence showing the effect of flavonoids on vascular dementia. Because quercetin, a natural flavonoid, is known to scavenge free radicals, we investigated whether quercetin attenuates white matter damage in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, as a model of vascular dementia. Chronic hypoperfusion was induced by ligation of the bilateral carotid arteries in male Wistar rats, which received vehicle alone, 100 mg/kg quercetin, or 200 mg/kg quercetin intraperitoneally at 4-day intervals for 8 weeks after operation. Sham-operated rats were also studied. The area of vacuoles in the optic tract observed after hematoxylin and eosin staining was significantly reduced in the 200 mg/kg quercetin-treated hypoperfusion group versus the vehicle-treated hypoperfusion group (1.7+/-0.2% versus 3.9+/-0.3%; P<0.05). The present results are consistent with the idea that chronic treatment with quercetin could be protective against at least a part of ischemic white matter damage.
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Authors | Shunya Takizawa, Naoto Fukuyama, Hisayuki Hirabayashi, Saori Kohara, Shoji Kazahari, Yukito Shinohara, Hiroe Nakazawa |
Journal | Brain research
(Brain Res)
Vol. 980
Issue 1
Pg. 156-60
(Aug 01 2003)
ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 12865172
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antioxidants
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Quercetin
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antioxidants
(therapeutic use)
- Brain Ischemia
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Carotid Arteries
(pathology)
- Dementia, Vascular
(drug therapy)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Histological Techniques
- Male
- Neuroprotective Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Quercetin
(therapeutic use)
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Vacuoles
(drug effects, pathology)
- Visual Pathways
(drug effects, pathology)
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