The Influential Antioxidant Role Of Coenzyme Q10 and Dehydroepiandrosterone against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Damage In Male Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the protective role of exogenous CoQ10 and DHEA and their combination on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male rats. Thirty adult male rats 225-250 grams, 12-14 weeks old, were used in this study and randomly divided into five equal groups, 6 animals each as in the following: Control group (G1): 6 male rats received DMSO 0.5ml/ animal/day orally, First treated group (T1): 6 male rats received daily CCl4 1ml/kg (1:1 olive oil, IP), Second treated group (T2): 6 male rats received CCl4 1ml/ kg and after 1hour injected daily with CoQ10 200 mg/kg IP, Third treated group (T3): 6 male rats received CCl4 1ml/kg and after 1hour injected daily with DHEA 25 mg/kg IP, Fourth treated group (T4): 6 male rats received CCl4 1ml/kg and after 1hour injected daily with a combination of CoQ10 200 mg/kg + DHEA 25 mg/kg IP. The experiment lasted for 28 successive days. The obtained results illustrated that male rats received CCl4 (1ml/kg) caused a significant increase in hepatic enzyme function AST, ALT and ALP, as well as MDA levels, and caused a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity GPx, SOD and CAT levels. In addition, CCl4 also caused various degrees of liver damage, such as dilation and congestion of the central vein with hemorrhage, apparent fatty degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells compared to the control group. Whereas, the group treated with CoQ10 200 mg/kg and DHEA 25 mg/kg showed a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in serum AST, ALT and ALP as well as MDA value, and significantly increased in GPx, SOD with the decline in CAT levels compared to the group treated with CCl4 intoxication. It is also observed from the results that the combination of CoQ10 and DHEA caused a highly significant (P < 0.05) decline in AST, ALT and ALP as well as MDA levels, and a significant elevate in GPx, SOD and decline in CAT, and almost return to average level compared to control. As well as, the histopathological examination of the liver revealed that rats treated with CoQ10 and DHEA and their combination had usual central veins and hepatocytes compared to groups treated with CCl4 due to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. It has been concluded that CoQ10 and DHEA have a protective effect against liver damage induced by CCl4 through improving antioxidant enzyme activity in CCl4 treated group leading to a declined MDA level and reduced lipid peroxidation. Thus, CoQ10 and DHEA are potential therapeutic antioxidant agents on hepatotoxicity by suppressing hepatic oxidative stress. Keywords: CoQ10, DHEA, antioxidant, CCl4, hepatic damage, male rat.