Quercetin reduces the transcriptional activity of NF-kB in stable coronary artery disease

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of quercetin on the indicators of chronic systemic inflammation (CSI) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD). This study included 85 patients with CAD, stable angina pectoris, functional class (FC) II, and heart failure (НF) 0-І. Each patient was prescribed beta-blockers, statins, and aspirin. In addition, a total of 30 patients, forming the study group received quercetin at a daily dose of 120 mg for two months, while the remaining 55 patients made up the control group. The levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum and the expression of the inhibitor of kappa B α (IkBα) gene in blood mononuclear cells, were determined. The increased levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, as well as a moderate increase in IL-10 levels, were detected in the serum of patients with CAD. The expression of the IkBα gene (2–δСt) did not differ significantly between the groups. Under the influence of quercetin, levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were reduced and IL-10 levels tended to decrease. In contrast, the serum levels of these cytokines did not change significantly in the control group. The administration of quercetin decreased the expression of the IkBα gene (0.0092 ± 0.0033 against 0.0261 ± 0.0166, р = 0.003; 2–δδСt, 2.82 ± 1.39 times) in contrast to the control group. Quercetin showed anti-inflammatory properties in patients with CAD, indicating a decrease in transcriptional activity of the nuclear factor of transcription kappa B (NF-kB).