Quercetin supplementation attenuates muscle wasting in cancer-associated cachexia in mice

BACKGROUND: Quercetin is a flavonoid with reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects, may limit muscle wasting in cancer cachexia. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of quercetin on murine C26 cancer-cachexia model assess feasibility non-invasive micro-CT analysis skeletal muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Custom CRM(P) diets supplemented 250 mg/kg (Q) were obtained. Thirty CD2F1 mice equally randomized to non-tumor-bearing (NTB), tumor-bearing (TB), TB + Q. All groups started their allocated diet underwent hindlimb micro-CT. Bodyweight, food intake, grip-strength recorded periodically. After 21 days, repeat was performed. Gastrocnemius (GCM) tibialis anterior (TA) muscles resected. mRNA expression MuRF1, Atrogin-1, myogenin, MyoD determined. RESULTS: NTB Q gained 9.4% 5.3% bodyweight respectively, lost 3.9%. Hind limb volume remained stable for Q, whereas decreased from 242.0 mm3 212.8 mm3. Mean GCM weight 175.2 mg 171.3 (TB Q) versus 125.5 (TB). A tendency towards atrogin-1 MuRF1 observed CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation limits loss C26-cancer-associated cachexia model.