Objective: To study the preventive and therapeutic effects of Quercetin (Que) on hyperuricemia and renal failure in rats.
Methods: Seventy rats were divided into ten groups, normal control group, model control group, allopurinol group and seven Que groups (50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 and 2.5 mg/kg). Hyperuricemia and renal failure in rats were induced by adenine and ethambutol hydrochloride intragastrically, and then Que was given for 3 weeks. The items related to high serum uric acid and renal injury were observed.
Results: Levels of serum uric acid (SUA), serum urea nitrogen ( SUN), serum creatinine (SCr), malonaldehyde (MDA) and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in liver were lowered effectively by Que, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum was increased. The better results of lowering serum uric acid and protecting against renal failure were at the dosage of Que between 10 and 20 mg/kg.
Conclusion: Hyperuricemia and renal failure in rats could be intervened by Que. The possible mechanism might be inhibiting the activity of liver XOD and improving the ability of clearing oxygen free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation, which might play an important role in reducing serum uric acid level and protecting kidney.