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