Quercetin suppresses glomerulosclerosis and TGF‑β signaling in a rat model.

Abstract

The transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) signaling pathway is an important regulatory pathway in renal fibrosis and is abnormally activated in glomerulosclerosis. Quercetin is a common Chinese herbal medicine and has been reported to inhibit TGF‑β signaling pathway activation. In the present study a glomerulosclerosis rat model was constructed and mice were treated with different concentrations of quercetin. Biochemical parameters, pathological indices and expression levels of TGF‑β signaling pathway‑associated proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. It was demonstrated that quercetin significantly improved physiological indices and altered the expression levels of TGF‑β signaling pathway‑associated proteins in rats with glomerulosclerosis. In conclusion, quercetin can regulate the TGF‑β signaling pathway and reduce the progression of glomerulosclerosis.