Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 against cisplatin-induced toxicity on testis in experimental rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt.

2 Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug that is associated with testicular toxicity because of its induction of excessive reactive oxygen species. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been found to express antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Aim: This study aims to investigate if CoQ10 can counter the testicular tissue toxicity caused by cisplatin. Materials and Methods: Animals were weighed and randomly divided into four groups (n = 10/each).  In group I (control group), rats were received 1% of Tween-80 through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 15 days. Group II (CoQ10 group) were i.p. treated for 15 days with CoQ10 in 1% tween-80 at a dosage of 10mg/kg/day for 15 days.  Rats in group III (Cisplatin group) were i.p. treated with a single i.p. injection of cisplatin at a dosage of 7mg/kg on the 5th day of the experiment. Group IV (CoQ10/cisplatin) were i.p. treated with CoQ10 at a dosage of 10mg/kg/day for 15 days and cisplatin at a dosage of 7mg/kg on the 5th day of the experiment. Biochemical measurements as well as histological and immunohistochemical morphometric were done. Results: CoQ10 diminished cisplatin induced oxidative stress through reducing lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels and increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione dehydrogenase. Moreover, CoQ10 significantly decreased the inflammatory response to cisplatin administration by decreasing the proinflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-α and increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Treatment with CoQ10 also induced significant improvement in histopathological changes in testes. Conclusion: CoQ10 could protect testes against cisplatin induced injury.

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