The effect of quercetin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle in rats

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the lower limbs is a significant clinical challenge that can arise due to surgical procedures, thrombotic events, embolism, or traumatic vascular damage. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidative and histo-pathological protective effects of quercetin, a potent flavonoid antioxidant, on skeletal muscle subjected to I/R injury. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Control (sham laparotomy), Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR) group (2 hours of ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion), and Ischemia-Reperfusion plus quercetin treatment (IR-Q) group, receiving 20 mg/kg quercetin intraperitoneally 30 minutes before ischemia induction. After the experimental protocols, skeletal muscle samples were collected for biochemical assays measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The IR group demonstrated a significant increase in MDA concentration compared to controls (p