Abstract 308: Quercetin Intake During Exercise Reduces MCP1, Body Weight and Atherosclerotic Plaque in Mice
Authors: Mahini Halleh , Chai Fei , Jin Jun , Wilson Thomas , Garelnabi Mahdi 
Published: July 2021

Introduction:
Atherosclerosis is the major causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and a chronic disease of the large arteries; the disease is mostly attributed to inflammation and oxidative stress. Chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by promoting directed migration of inflammatory cells. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP1) has been detected in atherosclerotic lesions by anti-MCP-1 antibody detection. MCP-1 is critical for the initiation and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Animal studies using a variety of antioxidants suggest that antioxidants may protect against CVD. Paradoxically, exercise which induces a severe oxidative stress resulting in the depletion of plasma and tissue antioxidants is an important deterrent of CVD.

Aims and Objectives:
In the current study we proposed that quercetin a flavonoid will have profound effects on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis if combined with exercise, we hypothesized its action to be attributed to the inhibition of lipids oxidation, promoting clearance and improving the acute exercise induced oxidative stress resulting in lowering cholesterol, artery lipids deposition and decreasing the development of the plaque.

Study Design:
This study tested the possible beneficial effects of the combined exercise and quercetin on modulators of oxidation and inflammation in C57BL6 LDL
-/-
mice fed atherogenic diet. 40 mice were divided into four groups (10 each). These groups are as follows: Control mice, left untreated; control quercetin group, orally supplied with 100 μg/day of quercetin without exercising; exercise group without quercetin, and exercise group with quercetin supplements. The exercise groups were run on a treadmill for 30 minutes, 15m/m/ 5 days/week for 30 days. All animals were on atherogenic diet containing 1.5% cholesterol with total 42% Fat Kcal Diet. At the end of the month of treatment, mice were sacrificed, and atherosclerotic lesions in aorta were quantified. Liver, aorta and adipose tissue gene expressions for genes associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and lipoproteins were analyzed.

Results and Conclusion:
Mice on quercetin and exercise have significant (P<0.001) drop in body weigh compared to control, these have been accompanied with a 78% drop in the atherosclerotic plaque development in exercising group compared to non-exercising mice without quercetin and 40% drop in atherosclerotic plaque size in exercising mice supplemented with quercetin compared to control group on quercetin. The changes were also accompanied with changes in plasma lipids and inflammatory markers. Although there is no significant differences in the HDL levels between exercising and non-exercising quercetin taking mice, HDL increased significantly (P<0.001) in control on quercetin compared to controls off the treatment. Animals on quercetin and exercise regimen have significantly (P<0.05) reduced plasma MCP-1 compared to controls on quercetin, interestingly sedentary mice on quercetin has 21% reduction in MCP-1 levels compared to the group without the treatment indicating that intake of quercetin may be responsible for the reduction in MCP-1 levels, body weight and atherosclerotic plaque size. However changes in plasmaTNF alpha levels between the groups with or without the treatments were not significant.