HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Quercetin Boosts Respiratory Antioxidants Upon Flu Exposure

Study Abstract

In the mice, instillation of influenza virus A/Udorn/317/72(H3N2) intranasally resulted in a significant decrease in the pulmonary concentrations of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. There was a decrease in vitamin E level also. These effects were observed on the 5th day after viral instillation. Oral supplementation with quercetin simultaneous with viral instillation produced significant increases in the pulmonary concentrations of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. However, quercetin did not reverse the fall in vitamin E level associated with the viral infection. It is concluded that during influenza virus infection, there is "oxidative stress." Because quercetin restored the concentrations of many antioxidants, it is proposed that it may be useful as a drug in protecting the lung from the deleterious effects of oxygen derived free radicals released during influenza virus infection.

Study Information

Kumar P, Khanna M, Srivastava V, Tyagi YK, Raj HG, Ravi K.
Effect of quercetin supplementation on lung antioxidants after experimental influenza virus infection.
Exp Lung Res.
2005 June
Department of Respiratory Virology, VP Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110-007, India.