Quercetin attenuates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in response to acute ureteral obstruction

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is associated with increased hydrostatic pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the renal parenchyma. Previous studies have demonstrated marked cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 induction in renal medullary interstitial cells (RMICs) in response to UUO. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of quercetin, a naturally occurring antioxidant, on COX-2 induction in vivo and in vitro. Rats subjected to 24 h of UUO were treated intraperitoneally with quercetin (50 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)). Quercetin partly prevented COX-2 induction in the renal inner medulla in response to UUO. Moreover, RMICs exposed to conditions associated with obstruction, inflammation (produced by IL-1β), oxidative stress (produced by H2O2), and mechanical stress (produced by stretch) showed increased COX-2 expression. Interestingly, quercetin reduced COX-2 induction in RMICs subjected to stretched. Similarly, PGE2 production was markedly increased in RMICs exposed to stretch and was reversed to control levels by quercetin treatment. Furthermore, stretch-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was blocked by quercetin, and inhibition of ERK1/2 attenuated stretch-induced COX-2 induction in RMICs. These results indicate that quercetin attenuated the induction of COX-2 expression and activity in RMICs exposed to mechanical stress as a consequence of acute UUO and that the MAPK ERK1/2 pathway might be involved in this quercetin-mediated reduction in COX-2.