• Bin Meng, Weina Gao, Jingyu Wei, Jijun Yang, Jianquan Wu, Lingling Pu, and Changjiang Guo.
• Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, Tianjin, PR China.
• Nutrition. 2013 Apr 1;29(4):661-6.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of quercetin on homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism and hepatic antioxidant status in high methionine (Met)-fed rats.MethodsRats were fed for 6 wk the following diets: control, 1.0% Met, 1.0% Met and 0.1% quercetin, 1.0% Met and 0.5% quercetin, 1.0% Met and 2.5% quercetin-supplemented diets. Serum Hcy, Met, cysteine, serine, taurine, glutathione (GSH), quercetin and its metabolites, and activities of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were assayed. Hepatic malondialdehyde, GSH and carbonyls, and activity of superoxide dismutase and ferric-reducing antioxidant power also were measured.ResultsSerum Hcy was increased significantly after Met treatment and decreased after quercetin supplementation. Meanwhile, serum taurine was increased and serine decreased. However, the content of GSH in serum and liver was decreased in the quercetin-supplemented groups and activities of serum ALT and AST were enhanced in the 1.0% Met and 2.5% quercetin-supplemented groups.ConclusionsQuercetin is effective in decreasing serum Hcy level in high Met-fed rats and one of possible mechanisms is associated with increased transsulfuration of Hcy. Quercetin can acts as a prooxidant at high intake levels.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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