Hesham N. Mustafa
King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Protective role of CoQ10 or L-carnitine on the integrity of the myocardium in doxorubicin induced toxicity
Biography
Biography: Hesham N. Mustafa
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent used for treatment of different cancers and its clinical usage is hindered by the oxidative injury-related cardiotoxicity. This work aims to declare if the harmful effects of DOX on heart can be alleviated with the use of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or L-carnitine.
The study was performed on seventy two female Wistar albino rats divided into six groups, 12 animals each: Control group; DOX group (10 mg/kg); CoQ10 group (200 mg/kg); L-carnitine group (100 mg/kg); DOX + CoQ10 group; DOX + L-carnitine group. CoQ10 and L-carnitine treatment orally started 5 days before a single dose of 10 mg/kg DOX that injected intraperitoneally (IP) then the treatment continued for 10 days. At the end of the study, serum biochemical parameters of cardiac damage, oxidative stress indices, and histopathological changes were investigated.
CoQ10 or L-carnitine showed a noticeable effects in improving cardiac functions evidenced reducing serum enzymes as serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), leptin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Cardiotrophin-1, Troponin-I and Troponin-T. Also, alleviate oxidative stress, decrease of cardiac Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO) and restoring cardiac reduced glutathione levels to normal levels. Both corrected the cardiac alterations histologically and ultrastructurally. With a visible improvements in α-SMA, vimentin and eNOS immunohistochemical markers.
In conclusion, CoQ10 or L-carnitine supplementation improves the functional and structural integrity of the myocardium.
Fig.1: Photomicrograph of control showed minimal immune reaction in the blood capillaries wall (curved arrows) and interstitial cells (arrow). With an immune negative cardiac muscle fibers (arrowhead). (B). DOX group showed strong immune reaction in endomysium and perimysium connective tissues (star), in the blood capillaries wall (curved arrows), and interstitial cells (arrow). (C). DOX + CoQ10 showed mild immune reaction in the endomysium and perimysium (star), in the blood capillaries wall (curved arrows) and interstitial cells (arrow). With an immune negative reaction in cardiac muscle fibers (arrowhead). (D): DOX + L-carnitine showed moderate immune reaction (Vimentin. Scale bar 20µm).