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

Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R)-induced cerebral injury has been reported as a leading cause of deathand long-term disabilities. Hippocampus is an area which is more sensitive to be affected by I/Rand hypoxic conditions. Coenzyme Q10 is a strong antioxidant which plays a role in membranestabilization. This study aims to investigate the possible role of CoQ10 in ameliorating thehistomorphological changes in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells induced by cerebral I/R.Thirty six adult male wistar rats were divided into six groups, each group consisting of sixrats, including control, ischemia, vehicle and CoQ10-treated (10, 50,100 mg/kg). In treatmentgroups, rats were orally administered CoQ10 during five days before and three days after I/R.Global cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion for about20 minutes, followed by reperfusion. H&E and Nissl staining were utilized for some qualitativeand quantitative studies. Then the histomorphological changes were measured by Image Tools2 software.The data analysis showed a significant reduction in the number of CA1 pyramidal cells after I/R;whearas, no significant difference was seen in the number of cells in mentioned region betweencontrol and 100 mg/kg CoQ10-treated groups.The findings indicate the neurotrophic properties of CoQ10 and support the beneficial effects ofCoQ10 as an adjuvant therapy in patients who have risk factor(s) of ischemic stroke.