Kilic, K.D. ; Garipoğlu, G.* ; Çakar, B.* ; Uyanıkgil, Y.* ; Erbaş, O.*
Antioxidant-effective quercetin through modulation of brain interleukin-13 mitigates autistic-like behaviors in the propionic acid-induced autism model in rats.
J. Neuroimmune Pharm. 20:36 (2025)
Overproduction of reactive oxygen species occurs when inflammation induces oxidative stress in macrophages and microglia, leading to a self-sustaining cycle of cellular damage and neuroinflammation. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are well-established contributors to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders, which are associated with impaired neuronal function, neuronal loss, and behavioral deficits. Damaged cells, through microglial activation, release additional inflammatory mediators under conditions of oxidative stress, exacerbating neuronal damage. Quercetin, a powerful dietary antioxidant, has been shown to scavenge free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and inhibit inflammatory pathways. Given these properties, we hypothesize that quercetin may improve learning and social skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorders by alleviating oxidative stress and reducing brain levels of inflammatory cytokines. In this study, an autism model was established in 30 rats by intraperitoneal injection of 250 mg/kg/day propionic acid (PPA) for five days. The study groups were as follows: Group 1: Normal ontrol (n = 10); Group 2: PPA + saline (PPAS, n = 10); Group 3: PPA + Quercetin (PPAQ, n = 10). All treatments were administered for 15 days. At the end of the treatment, histological and biochemical analyses of brain tissue and behavioral tests related to autistic-like behaviors were performed. Malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-13 levels in brain homogenates were significantly higher in the PPAS group compared to the control group, indicating elevated oxidative stress and inflammation following PPA exposure. The PPAQ group significantly reduced oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory biomarkers, demonstrating its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This biochemical improvement was accompanied by preserving Purkinje cells and neuronal populations, significantly reduced in the PPAS group. Moreover, quercetin-treated rats exhibited improved social behavior and learning, which were severely impaired in the PPAS group. These findings, when interpreted together, suggest that quercetin exerts its neuroprotective effects by targeting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, thereby preventing neuronal cell loss and alleviating behavioral deficits associated with autism spectrum disorders.
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Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Typ der Hochschulschrift
Herausgeber
Schlagwörter
Autism ; Brain ; Neuroinflammation ; Oxidative Stress ; Quercetin; Oxidative Stress; Children; Luteolin; Neuroinflammation; Formulation
Keywords plus
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2025
Prepublished im Jahr
0
HGF-Berichtsjahr
2025
ISSN (print) / ISBN
1557-1890
e-ISSN
1557-1904
ISBN
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Konferzenzdatum
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Konferenzband
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Band: 20,
Heft: 1,
Seiten: ,
Artikelnummer: 36
Supplement: ,
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Verlag
Springer
Verlagsort
One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, Ny, United States
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0000-00-00
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Prüfer
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0000-00-00
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0000-00-00
Anmelder/Inhaber
weitere Inhaber
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Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
Institut(e)
Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (ITERM)
POF Topic(s)
30205 - Bioengineering and Digital Health
Forschungsfeld(er)
Enabling and Novel Technologies
PSP-Element(e)
G-505800-001
Förderungen
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK)
Copyright
Erfassungsdatum
2025-05-10