Abstract:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health challenge and a leading cause of diabetic nephropathy, a condition strongly associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, particularly in the context of unhealthy dietary patterns. Dietary polyphenols, such as quercetin, have gained attention as potential low-cost therapeutic agents due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This animal study investigated the effects of quercetin supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and related molecular pathways in a rat model of T2DM. Sixty male Wistar rats (n=60) were allocated into six groups (n=10per group), including normal control, diabetic control, diabetic rats subjected to a high-energy diet for diabetes induction, and three diabetic groups initially fed a high-energy diet and supplemented with quercetin at doses of 25, 50, or 100mgkg?¹ body weight for 16 weeks, with all groups maintained on a standard diet during the later intervention period. Oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, inflammatory cytokines, and key signaling proteins were assessed in renal tissue and serum using biochemical assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and molecular analyses. Group differences were evaluated using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test (p<0.05). Quercetin supplementation significantly and dose-dependently reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant defenses, including catalase and glutathione-related activity, while attenuating inflammatory cytokine levels (p<0.05). These effects were accompanied by modulation of inflammation-related signaling pathways, including restoration of p-AMPK/AMPK and p-AKT/AKT signaling and suppression of NF-κB activation. Overall, quercetin supplementation mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rats, supporting its potential as an adjunct nutritional strategy for reducing diabetic nephropathy and related metabolic complications.
Keywords: Quercetin, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Nephropathy, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Renal Function.
Themes:
· Nutrition and Metabolic Health
· Diabetes and Chronic Disease Management
· Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds
