Dietary Supplementation of Quercetin and the Reproductive Functions in Hypertensive Male Rats

Abstract
Background: Hypertension is considered one of the com-monest medical problems and affects more than 25% of the general population, with its prevalence increases with age. It is associated with a wide variety of health challenges like stroke, heart failure, renal failure and reproductive disorders.
Aim of Study: The prevention of hypertension induced reproductive impairment remains unclear. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of quercetin on male reproductive functions in L-NAME- induced hypertensive rats.
Material and Methods: 50 Male Wister Albino rats (200- 220g) were divided into 5 groups 10 per each. G1: The control group was placed on the basal diet (received saline with the same volume used to dissolve L-NAME and quercetin by gavage) for 4 weeks. G 2: The Quercetin group was adminis-tered with Quercetin 50mg/Kg b.w. by gavage for 4 weeks. G 3: The L-NAME group (hypertensive induced group received L-NAME (40mg/Kg/day by gavage) for 4 weeks. G 4: The L-NAME plus atenolol received L-NAME plus atenolol (10 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 4 weeks. G 5: The L-NAME plus Quercetin received L-NAME (40mg/Kg/day) plus quercetin 50mg/Kg b.w. by gavage for 4 weeks.
Results: Quercetin abrogated the mean blood pressure elevation induced by L-NAME. Administration of quercetin increased the antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione, whereas it suppressed the oxidative stress biomarkers and the arginase activity. Quercetin significantly restored hypertension induced impairment of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone hormone. Quer-cetin improves the sperm motility and viability. Histopatho-logical findings supported our results.
In Conclusion: Quercetin supplementation may be con-sidered a beneficial approach targeting reproductive deficits in male hypertensive patients.