Quercetin Attenuates Benzo(α)pyrene-induced CYP1A Expression

We studied effects of nutrient quercetin on cytochromes' P450 1A (CYP1A) activities (measured spectrofluorimetrically using 7-ethoxy-resorufin for CYP1A1 and 7-methoxy-resorufin for CYP1A2 as substrates), on mRNA levels (measured by RT-PCR), and on DNA-binding activities (evaluated by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay) of proteins regulating CYP1A expression in untreated and benzo(α)pyrene (BaP)-treated rats. Wistar rats received quercetin, BaP, or both once daily for 1-3 days. Quercetin did not influence CYP1A1 in untreated rats but inhibited BaP-mediated CYP1A induction on the transcriptional level decreasing positive input (AhR functional activity) and increasing negative input (AhRR/ARNT expression and Oct-1 and C/EBP functional activities).