Effect of coenzyme Q10 on organ damage in sepsis.

Objective: Investigating the effects of coenzyme Q10 on organ damage and survival on mice in cecal ligation perforation (CLP) model in sepsis.

Background: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant molecule playing an important role in mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism in sepsis pathophysiology.

Methods: Nintyfour Swiss Albino male mice were divided into 8 groups. CLP was performed in Group I. Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously, was given 5 hours after CLP to Group II and 20 hours after CLP to Group III. Sham operation was performed in Group IV, 100 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 subcutaneously was given 5 hours after sham operation to Group V and 20 hours after sham operation to Group VI. No operation was performed in Group VII; coenzyme Q10, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously, was given to Group VIII. Antibiotics and fluid replacement were applied for 3 days. The mice still living were sacrificed at 576th hour. The organ damages were scored under light microscopy.

Results: The survival of Group I and Group II was lower than that of the control groups, but the survival in the Group III was similar to control groups. It was established that spleen, kidney, heart damage and total organ damage were decreased when compared to CLP group.

Conclusions: Coenzyme Q10 is effective in decreasing histological organ damage in sepsis (Tab. 3. Fig. 1, Ref. 30).