Anti- and pro-oxidant effects of quercetin stabilized by microencapsulation on interstitial cells of Cajal, nitrergic neurons and M2-like macrophages in the jejunum of diabetic rats.

Given the well-known antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of quercetin, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of quercetin stabilized by microencapsulation at two doses (10 mg kg and 100 mg kg) on the oxidative/antioxidant status, number and morphological features of ICC, nitrergic neurons and M2-like macrophages in jejunum of diabetic rats. The rats were randomly distributed into six groups: normoglycemic control (N), diabetic control (D) and either normoglycemic or diabetic groups treated with quercetin-loaded microcapsules at a dose of 10 mg kg (NQ10 and DQ10, respectively) or 100 mg kg (NQ100 and DQ100, respectively). After 60 days, the jejunum was collected.