The Role of Coenzyme Q10 against Cyclosporine-A Induced Cardiotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats (Histological and Toxicological Study)

Ahmed, Gehan; M.G, Siam; Shaban, Sahar; Awwad, Ibrahim

doi:10.21608/ajfm.2013.19383

The Role of Coenzyme Q10 against Cyclosporine-A Induced Cardiotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats (Histological and Toxicological Study)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

² Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

³ Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; College of pharmacy, Qassim University, KSA

10.21608/ajfm.2013.19383

Abstract

Cyclosporine-A (CsA) has a potent immunosuppressive activity and is commonly used as anti-rejection drug after organ transplantation and for treatment of some autoimmune diseases. Several toxic effects on the cardiovascular system have been reported with CsA therapy. The toxicity induced by CsA is attributed to the formation of free oxygen radicals. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀) is a fat soluble, vitamin-like benzoquinone compound that functions primarily as an antioxidant, and a cofactor in the oxidative phosphorylation processes. The level of CoQ₁₀ is reduced under the conditions of illness for example after renal transplantation. The present study was done aiming to detect the possible morphological and structural changes that may occur in the cardiac muscle of the adult male albino rats duo to CsA therapy and to test the protective effect of CoQ₁₀ against CsA-induced cardiotoxicity. Thirty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into 3 groups and orally given the following materials for 28 days: Group (1) (Control group): that was further subdivided into 2 equal subgroups, each of 5 animals: subgroup 1a: received olive oil 1 ml/kg. Subgroup 1b: (CoQ₁₀ group): received 5 mg/kg/day of CoQ₁₀. Group (2) (CsA-treated group): The rats received 25 mg/kg/day of CsA. Group (3)(CoQ₁₀ & CsA treated group): The rats were treated with the previously mentioned doses of both CoQ₁₀ and CsA. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded three times per week. At the time of sacrifice, the hearts were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Oral administration of CsA, produced a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in SBP, DBP, and HR in comparison to the control group. Treatment with CoQ₁₀ significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the increments in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. However, the recorded values were still significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the control group. The light microscopic study of sections of cardiac muscle of CsA-treated adult male albino rats showed increase in the number of infiltrated cells and disorganization of myocardial fibers with increase in the amount of connective tissue and interstitial fibrosis with perinuclear cytoplasmic vacuolation and decrease in the amount of myofilaments. Electron microscopy showed distension of the Z lines with disintegration of some of them, loss of some microfilaments and disorganized intercalated discs. CoQ₁₀ partially prevented most of the pathological changes revealed by the light and electron microscope. From the above mentioned results we could conclude that treatment with CoQ₁₀ partially prevented the CsA-induced cardiotoxicity in adult male albino rats. We could recommend using CoQ₁₀ during CsA therapy to prevent its cardiotoxicity.

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