Short-term effect of Quercetin supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress indices of active individuals after intense exercise

  Quercetin is one of the important bioflavonoids present in more than twenty plants material and which is known as an anti-inflammatory supplement. For this reason, quercetin is considered by athletes as a natural supplement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of quercetin supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress indices in active individuals.

 In a semi-experimental study, 25 female active students aged 18-24 years voluntarily were selected and then randomly divided into two groups: active subjects receiving quercetin supplementation (AQ) and active subjects receiving placebo (AP). The AQ group received 500 mg of quercetin supplementation and the AP group received 500 mg of placebo 1.5 hours before the test. Both groups performed strenuous exercise according to the Bruce protocol before and after taking Quercetin supplementation. The levels of Interleukin8 (IL-8) and 8-Isoprostane (8-IsoP) indices were measured before and at the end of intervention. Data were analyzed using dependent t-test and analysis of covariance with pretest control at a level less than 0.05.   

 After the intervention, although the levels of IL-8 and 8-IsoP decreased in the post-test compared to the pretest in the AQ group, but this decrease was only significant in the level of IL-8(p <0.05).The resultsalso showed a significant decrease in IL-8 and 8-IsoP levels of AQ group compared to AP group in post-test(p <0.05).  

 The results of this study showed that quercetin supplementation is effective in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress after strenuous exercise.