Effect of dietary quercetin supplementation on high-starch diet-induced growth impairment, metabolic dysregulation, and oxidative stress in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

High-starch diets disrupt glucose and lipid metabolism in fish, which in turn leads to impaired liver function and growth. Although quercetin has been shown to reduce blood glucose and cholesterol levels in mammals, its role in aquaculture fish remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, five experimental diets were formulated: LS (8 % starch without quercetin), HS (16 % starch without quercetin), HSQ 200 (16 % starch with 0.02 % quercetin), HSQ 400 (16 % starch with 0.04 % quercetin), and HSQ 800 (16 % starch with 0.08 % quercetin). Juvenile largemouth bass (initial weight: 10.02 ± 0.05 g) were fed respective diets for 10 weeks. Compared with the LS group, the HS group exhibited significant growth inhibition and liver damage. Notably, quercetin supplementation significantly improved weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency ratios (PER); reduced blood glucose, serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and liver enzyme activities (AST and ALT). Mechanically, quercetin decreased liver glycogen levels by upregulating genes related to glucose metabolism ( g6pc1a , pfkla , and slc2a1b ). It also reduced liver TG, TC, and lipid content by downregulating lipid metabolism-related genes ( fasn , acaca , cd36 , and fabp4a ). Furthermore, quercetin lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by upregulating antioxidant genes ( cat , gpx7 , sod1 ), enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and alleviating oxidative stress. These findings demonstrate that, quercetin protects against high-starch-induced liver injury through multiple pathways involving oxidative stress and metabolism. For optimal growth performance and hepatoprotection, dietary supplementation with 400 mg/kg quercetin is recommended in a high-starch diet for largemouth bass. • Quercetin may boost the growth of largemouth bass on a high-starch diet. • Quercetin in a high-starch diet reduced liver glycogen in largemouth bass. • Quercetin in a high-starch diet lowers liver fat in largemouth bass. • Quercetin boosts antioxidant capacity in largemouth bass fed a high-starch diet.