Effects of coenzyme Q on the antioxidant system in SD rats exposed to lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity.

The study was performed to see the effects of coenzyme Q (CoQ) on blood biochemical components and hepatic antioxidant system in rats exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced toxicity. A total of 24 rats were allocated to four groups: control (CON), 100 mg/kg BW of LPS (LPS), 100 mg of CoQ/kg BW with LPS (LCQI) and 300 mg of CoQ/kg BW with LPS (LCQII). The LPS and LCQI groups showed a significant (<0.05) increase in the relative spleen weight compared with the CON group without affecting body and liver weights. The blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in the LPS group was significantly (<0.05) greater than that in the CON group, while supplementation with 100 or 300 mg CoQ to rats injected with LPS normalized the ALT level in the CON group. In antioxidant systems, the LPS group showed a significantly (<0.05) higher mRNA and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) than the CON group. The supplementation with CoQ to the LPS-treated group normalized the level of SOD, which was comparable to the level of the CON group. Both the mRNA expression and activity of glutathione peroxidase in the LCQI and LCQII groups were higher (<0.05) than that of the LPS group. However, administration of LPS or CoQ unaffected the level of catalase and total antioxidant power. The level of lipid peroxidation in the LCQII group was lower (<0.05) than that in the LPS group. In conclusion, CoQ exerted its favorable effect against liver damage by modulation of antioxidant enzymes in LPS treated rats.