Quercetin Attenuates Sodium Fluoride (Naf)-Induced Hypertension Through Reduction in Oxidative Stress and Heat Shock Proteins (hsp 70)/extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase (erk) Pathways in Rats

Sodium fluoride (NaF), a component of certain household items is known to cause renal, cardiac and DNA damage in animals and man. The present study investigated the effect of co‐administration of quercetin on the toxic effects of NaF in rats. Forty male Wistar rats of 10 per group were used for this study. Group A was the control group which was given water; Group B was exposed to 300 ppm (300 mg/L) of NaF alone in drinking water for a week. Rats in Groups C and D were exposed to 300 ppm (300 mg/L) of NaF in drinking water for a week and co‐administered orally with quercetin at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Electrocardiogram and blood pressure parameters including the systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure were measured prior to sacrifice of the rats. Biochemical assays, histology and immunohistochemistry on kidneys and hearts tissues were also carried out. Results reveal a significant (p<0.05) decrease in nitric oxide (NO) of rats that received NaF alone alongside a significant (p<0.05) increase in markers of oxidative stress, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs) and serum myeloperoxidase. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure also increased (p<0.05) significantly in NaF alone treated rats. Genotoxicity results revealed increased frequency of Micronucleated Polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) in NaF alone treated rats. Furthermore, administration of NaF led to a reduction in the expressions of Heat Shock Proteins (HSP 70) and Extracellular signal regulated kinase ERK. Co‐administration of quercetin (50 mg/kg & 100 mg/kg) with NaF (300 mg/L), however led to reductions in the markers of oxidative stress, blood pressure and frequency of MnPCEs, improved antioxidant defence system and increased expressions of ERK and HSP 70, respectively. Support or Funding Information The authors declare that this work was self funded