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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
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Isolation of Retinal Arterioles for Ex Vivo Cell Physiology Studies
Published on: July 14, 2018
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Quercetin Dilates Retinal Arterioles via Nitric Oxide-Dependent Mechanisms in Rats
Asami Mori1,2, Akihiro Sakurai2, Sarina Takimoto1
1Laboratory of Medical Pharmacology, Department of Clinical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharma-Sciences, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 13, 2026
Summary
Quercetin, a plant flavonoid, dilates rat retinal blood vessels by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. This finding suggests quercetin may help prevent vision loss from poor retinal blood flow.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plant foods with antioxidant properties.
- Reduced retinal blood flow is linked to ocular diseases and visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if quercetin induces retinal blood vessel dilation in rats.
- To explore the role of nitric oxide (NO) in quercetin's vascular effects.
Main Methods:
- Rats received intravenous quercetin (10-100 µg/kg/min).
- Retinal arteriolar diameter was measured using a digital fundus camera system.
- Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (l-NAME) was used to block NO production.
Main Results:
- Quercetin dose-dependently increased retinal arteriolar diameter.
- The vasodilatory effect was inhibited by l-NAME, indicating NO involvement.
- Quercetin did not significantly alter systemic blood pressure or heart rate.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide production is crucial for quercetin-induced retinal vasodilation.
- Quercetin may be beneficial for preventing ocular diseases linked to impaired retinal blood flow.
- Quercetin's vasodilatory properties warrant further investigation for therapeutic potential in ophthalmology.
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