Abstract: AIM: To investigate the function and mechanism of quercetin (Que) in anti-fibrosis in vitro and in vivo from the perspective of interfering with the glycolysis of renal interstitial fibroblasts.  METHODS: In vivo experiments, mice were administered in groups, kidneys were dissected, weighed and examined histopathologically and biochemically; In vitro experiments, rat normal renal fibroblasts (NRK-49F cells) were treated with different reagents, proteins were extracted, and NRK-49F cell activation indicators such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by protein immunoblotting (Western Blot). The expression of the proteins, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), was examined by protein immunoblotting (Western Blot), and the effect of Que on glucose uptake in NRK-49F cells induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) was examined by fluorescence assay; the lactate content of cells in different experimental groups was examined by lactate assay kit; the effect of Que on glucose uptake in NRK-49F cells induced by TGF-β1 and EGF was examined by fluorescence quantitative PCR. EGF-induced mRNA of hexokinase (HK2), phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1) and muscle pyruvate kinase isozyme 2 (PKM2), key enzymes of glycolysis in NRK-49F cells. RESULTS: Compared with the UUO group, the morphological structures of kidney tissues in the Que administration group were all alleviated to different degrees, which were related to the inhibition of glycolysis, and the serum levels of urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood creatinine (Scr) in mice showed a significant downward trend; lactate production and glucose uptake in NRK-49F cells were gradually reduced, and Que affected TGF-β1 and EGF-induced RIF of mRNA levels of key enzymes of glycolysis gradually decreased and were associated with PKM2. CONCLUSION: Que inhibits PKM2 enzyme activity and glycolysis in NRK-49F cells and reduces TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation.

Key words: renal interstitial fibrosis, quercetin, glycolysis, PKM2