Coenzyme Q10 as a protective and therapeutic agent against cisplatin-induced multi-organ toxicity in rats

OpenAlex İngilizce

Aims: Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent whose dose-limiting toxicities are well documented. These toxicities are primarily mediated through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular injury. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a mitochondrial antioxidant and redox modulator, has shown promise in mitigating these toxic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and therapeutic potential of CoQ10 against CP-induced multi-organ toxicity in rats. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five (n=6 each) groups: control; CP; CoQ10; CoQ10 pre-treatment (PT); and CoQ10 pre-and post-treatment (PPT). CoQ10 was administered at 10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally, based its antioxidant and cytoprotective efficacy. Biochemical markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)), antioxidant defences (reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and paraoxonase (PON)) and inflammation (adenosine deaminase (ADA)) were assessed in serum samples. Results: CP administration significantly increased oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, while suppressing endogenous antioxidants and elevating inflammatory mediators. CoQ10 treatment, particularly the PPT protocol, markedly restored antioxidant enzyme activities. This reduced lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidative lesions, while suppressing ADA activity. Notably, 8-OHdG levels decreased significantly, highlighting CoQ10’s role in preserving genomic integrity. Conclusion: CoQ10 exerts significant cytoprotective effects against CP-induced oxidative and inflammatory damage. PPT with CoQ10 was more effective than PT, emphasising the therapeutic value of pre-emptive antioxidant supplementation. These findings suggest that CoQ10 could be a beneficial addition to chemotherapy regimens involving CP.