[Effect of Quercetin on Apoptosis of Platelets and Its Mechanism].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of quercetin on the apoptosis of platelets and to analyze the intrinsic mechanism. METHODS: Firstly, the effects of quecetin on the apoptosis of platelets was detected by flow cytometry. Secondly, Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the platelets treated with quercetin for 2 and 4 day. RESULTS: By flow cytometry, it was found that the apoptosis of platelets in the quercetin-treated group (2, 4 and 8 µmol/L) was inhibited, the apoptosis rate of platelets in 2, 4 and 8 µmol/L quercetin group was 3.12%±0.32%, 2.89%±0.15% and 2.31%±0.28%, respectively, which were signigicantly lover than that in control group (P＜0.01). With the increase of quecetin concentration, the proportion ratio of platelets significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner（r=-0.9985）. Similar results were observed on the 4th day. Western blot showed that the treatment with quercetin (2, 4 and 8 µmol/L) promoted the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, inhibited the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BAX, resulting in a significant increase in the ratio of BCL-2/BAX (P＜0.01), thereby inhibiting the apoptosis of platelets. Similar results were observed on the 4th day. CONCLUSION: Quercetin can inhibit platelet apoptosis by increasing the ratio of apoptosis-related protein BCL-2/BAX in a concentration-dependent manner.