IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY, cilt.33, sa.3, ss.504-508, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the quercetin (Q) and chrysin (CH) on oxidative stress, cytokines levels and body weights in rats induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Rats were divided randomly into six equal groups. TCDD, Q and CH were administered by gavages dissolved in corn oil at the doses of 2 mu g/kg/week, 20 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively. The blood samples were taken from all rats at 60th days to be analyzed for the determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The results indicated that although TCDD increased significantly TBARS and TNF-alpha levels, it caused a decline in the levels of IFN-gamma and body weight. In contrast, these effects of TCDD on TBARS, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma levels and body weight were significantly prevented by treatments of Q and CH. In conclusion, it was determined that TCDD caused the adverse effects on immune functions, body weight and oxidative stress in rats. However, Q and CH administered with TCDD eliminated these adverse effects. These results suggest that Q and CH may play a protective role against TCDD toxicity.