Effect of Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells following transient global ischemia/reperfusion in male wistar rat

Abstract

Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R)-induced cerebral injury has been reported as a leading cause of death<br />and long-term disabilities. Hippocampus is an area which is more sensitive to be affected by I/R<br />and hypoxic conditions. Coenzyme Q10 is a strong antioxidant which plays a role in membrane<br />stabilization. This study aims to investigate the possible role of CoQ10 in ameliorating the<br />histomorphological changes in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells induced by cerebral I/R.<br />Thirty six adult male wistar rats were divided into six groups, each group consisting of six<br />rats, including control, ischemia, vehicle and CoQ10-treated (10, 50,100 mg/kg). In treatment<br />groups, rats were orally administered CoQ10 during five days before and three days after I/R.<br />Global cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion for about<br />20 minutes, followed by reperfusion. H&E and Nissl staining were utilized for some qualitative<br />and quantitative studies. Then the histomorphological changes were measured by Image Tools<br />2 software.<br />The data analysis showed a significant reduction in the number of CA1 pyramidal cells after I/R;<br />whearas, no significant difference was seen in the number of cells in mentioned region between<br />control and 100 mg/kg CoQ10-treated groups.<br />The findings indicate the neurotrophic properties of CoQ10 and support the beneficial effects of<br />CoQ10 as an adjuvant therapy in patients who have risk factor(s) of ischemic stroke.