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

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 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/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 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg quercetin groups were not increased ( P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the RE groups treated with 100 mg/kg quercetin and 200 mg/kg quercetin. Conclusion Quercetin can prevent esophageal mucosal injury in RE rats by suppressing the NF-κBp65 and IL- 8 signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]