Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production

Abstract Background The mammalian circadian rhythm is an internal biological timekeeping system synchronizing physiology and behavior to light/dark cycles. Several processes throughout the body’s organs, including the liver, are regulated by circadian rhythms and are adversely affected by radiation...

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Main Authors: Amal K. Omar, Nahed Abdel-Aziz, Hoda G. Hegazy, Safaa A. A. El-Seifi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-08-01
Series:Egyptian Liver Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43066-025-00449-5
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author Amal K. Omar
Nahed Abdel-Aziz
Hoda G. Hegazy
Safaa A. A. El-Seifi
author_facet Amal K. Omar
Nahed Abdel-Aziz
Hoda G. Hegazy
Safaa A. A. El-Seifi
author_sort Amal K. Omar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The mammalian circadian rhythm is an internal biological timekeeping system synchronizing physiology and behavior to light/dark cycles. Several processes throughout the body’s organs, including the liver, are regulated by circadian rhythms and are adversely affected by radiation exposure. This study investigates the effect of circadian rhythms, whether it is regular (light/darkness cycle) or disturbed (permanent darkness or permanent light), under the stress of whole-body irradiation, and the possible protective impact of quercetin on certain liver aspects. Methods The animals were divided into three main groups: a normal light/dark group, a permanent darkness group, and a permanent light group. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups: a control subgroup (nonirradiated rats), an irradiated subgroup (exposed to 9-Gy fractionated dose), a quercetin subgroup (received 50 mg/kg b.wt. of quercetin for 1 month), and a quercetin + irradiated subgroup. Results The results showed that circadian rhythm disturbance and/or whole-body irradiation-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by elevation of liver MDA and NO, was associated with decreases in antioxidant enzymes’ activities (SOD, GPx, and CAT) and GSH contents, compared to the corresponding control subgroups. This was also accompanied by a disruption in mitochondrial function, as indicated by increased cytochrome P450 reductase and decreased ATP levels. ADP levels were also affected. Histological investigation of liver tissues showed marked alterations. However, oral administration of quercetin pre- and during irradiation attenuated these changes. Conclusion Oral administration of quercetin could protect the liver from these damaging effects by modulating the oxidant-antioxidant system and ATP production.
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spelling doaj-art-88cde3de36094d55b5ca84abf36071ee2025-08-20T03:04:10ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Liver Journal2090-62262025-08-0115111410.1186/s43066-025-00449-5Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP productionAmal K. Omar0Nahed Abdel-Aziz1Hoda G. Hegazy2Safaa A. A. El-Seifi3Radiation Biology Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research & Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy AuthorityRadiation Biology Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research & Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy AuthorityZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams UniversityZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams UniversityAbstract Background The mammalian circadian rhythm is an internal biological timekeeping system synchronizing physiology and behavior to light/dark cycles. Several processes throughout the body’s organs, including the liver, are regulated by circadian rhythms and are adversely affected by radiation exposure. This study investigates the effect of circadian rhythms, whether it is regular (light/darkness cycle) or disturbed (permanent darkness or permanent light), under the stress of whole-body irradiation, and the possible protective impact of quercetin on certain liver aspects. Methods The animals were divided into three main groups: a normal light/dark group, a permanent darkness group, and a permanent light group. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups: a control subgroup (nonirradiated rats), an irradiated subgroup (exposed to 9-Gy fractionated dose), a quercetin subgroup (received 50 mg/kg b.wt. of quercetin for 1 month), and a quercetin + irradiated subgroup. Results The results showed that circadian rhythm disturbance and/or whole-body irradiation-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by elevation of liver MDA and NO, was associated with decreases in antioxidant enzymes’ activities (SOD, GPx, and CAT) and GSH contents, compared to the corresponding control subgroups. This was also accompanied by a disruption in mitochondrial function, as indicated by increased cytochrome P450 reductase and decreased ATP levels. ADP levels were also affected. Histological investigation of liver tissues showed marked alterations. However, oral administration of quercetin pre- and during irradiation attenuated these changes. Conclusion Oral administration of quercetin could protect the liver from these damaging effects by modulating the oxidant-antioxidant system and ATP production.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43066-025-00449-5Circadian rhythmRadiationOxidative stressMitochondriaLiver
spellingShingle Amal K. Omar
Nahed Abdel-Aziz
Hoda G. Hegazy
Safaa A. A. El-Seifi
Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production
Egyptian Liver Journal
Circadian rhythm
Radiation
Oxidative stress
Mitochondria
Liver
title Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production
title_full Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production
title_fullStr Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production
title_full_unstemmed Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production
title_short Quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ-radiation in rats: oxidant-antioxidant status and ATP production
title_sort quercetin modulates liver response to circadian rhythm disturbance and γ radiation in rats oxidant antioxidant status and atp production
topic Circadian rhythm
Radiation
Oxidative stress
Mitochondria
Liver
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43066-025-00449-5
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