Quercetin Prophylaxis: A Novel Approach To Prevent Hypoxia-Mediated Increase In Oxidative Stress, Pde-5 Activity And Transvascular Leakage In The Lungs Of Rats

An increase in the vascular permeability of alveolar epithelium has found to be the major manifestation of hypoxia exposure. This study examined the efficacy of quercetin in preventing the hypoxia-mediated increase in Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) levels in the lung, leading to the diminution of alveolar smooth muscles vasoconstriction and curtailed transvascular leakage. Quercetin is noted to be a direct antagonist of PDE-5 in the lungs of rats under hypoxia, which by abrogating oxidative stress, prevents fluid accumulation in the lungs as a consequence of HAPE.