RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Cannabinoid Receptor-1 Up-regulation in Azoxymethane (AOM)-treated Mice After Dietary Treatment with Quercetin JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 4485 OP 4491 DO 10.21873/anticanres.12752 VO 38 IS 8 A1 VALERIA TUTINO A1 VALENTINA DE NUNZIO A1 ANGELA TAFARO A1 GIUSY BIANCO A1 ISABELLA GIGANTE A1 MARIA PRINCIPIA SCAVO A1 ROSALBA D'ALESSANDRO A1 MARIA GRAZIA REFOLO A1 CATERINA MESSA A1 MARIA GABRIELLA CARUSO A1 MARIA NOTARNICOLA YR 2018 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/38/8/4485.abstract AB Background/Aim: The expression of cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1-R) seems to be modulated by bioactive natural components such as the flavonoid quercetin. The aim of this study was to determine in an animal model of induced-colon cancer, whether quercetin inhibits colon carcinogenesis through changes in the expression of CB1-R. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were randomly assigned to standard diet or experimental diet supplemented with 0.5% quercetin. Azoxymethane (AOM) (10 mg/kg body weight) or saline solution (PBS) was intraperitoneally injected, once weekly for 6 weeks. Results: The diet supplemented with quercetin induced CB1-R gene expression and protein, inhibiting the protein levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 (both mediators of cell proliferation). Dietary quercetin also caused a significant increase in Bax/Bcl2 ratio protein expression. Conclusion: The anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of quercetin in AOM-treated mice are mediated by induction of the protein and gene expression levels of CB1-R.