title: Combination of β-carotene and quercetin against benzo[a]pyrene-induced pro-inflammatory reaction accompanied by the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity and NF-κB translocation in Mongolian gerbils.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously shown that quercetin modulates the proinflammatory effect of β-carotene (BC) induced by oral benzo[a]pyren (Bap) partly through the regulation of the JNK pathway. In the present study, we determined whether the combination of BC and quercetin regulates the antioxidant enzymes and the activation of NF-κB in Mongolian gerbils exposed to Bap. We also compared the combined effects of BC+ quercetin with that of BC+ ascorbic acid (C)+ α-tocopherol (E).
  
  
  METHODS
  The gerbils were given BC (10 mg/kg) alone or in combination with quercetin (50 or 100 mg/kg) or C (13 mg/kg)+E (92 mg/kg) by gavage 3 times/week for 6 months. During the first 2 months, the gerbils were exposed to Bap by intratracheal instillation once/week. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, antioxidant enzymes and NF-κB activation in the plasma or the lungs were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bap increased the level of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in the plasma or lungs, while it decreased the antioxidant systems. Bap also increased nuclear NF-κB levels in the lungs. BC partly recovered the Bap-induced decrease in antioxidant activity, antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels but had no effect on proinflammatory cytokines and NF-κB translocation. BC in combination with quercetin or C+E suppressed all the harmful effects induced by Bap. All the effects of quercetin at 100 mg/kg were similar to the effect of C+E.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BC in combination with quercetin or C+E rather than BC alone similarly suppresses the Bap-induced inflammatory reaction that was accompanied by the regulation of antioxidant enzymes and the translocation of NF-κB in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Chest Clinic, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Tzu-Chin
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shuo-Yan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shu-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jiunn-Wang
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Shu-Lan
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005849:Gerbillinae; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016328:NF-kappa B; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019207:beta Carotene; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D011794:Quercetin; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid