The Protective Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on the Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Induced Liver Injury

Objectives: The aim of this study was to show the efficacy of coenzyme Q10, known as anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, in liver damage after renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR). Materials and Methods: For this purpose, rats were divided into three groups to design an experimental RIR model. Group 1 rats were Sham group. Group 2 rats underwent RIR without any medication. Group 3 rats were given coenzyme Q10 before RIR. In order to evaluate the damage, serum urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were investigated and additionally tissue (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total sulfhydryl (SH), total nitrite and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were investigated. Histopathologic examination was performed for all groups and DNA fragmentation resulting from apoptotic fragmentation was evaluated with caspase-3 and TUNEL with immunohistochemical methods. Results: Urea and creatinine levels and also ALP, ALT, AST, GGT and LDH levels were significantly increased in group 2 compared to the Sham group. These increases were significantly lower in group 3. The tissue levels of MDA, nitrite, and MPO were significantly increased in group 2 compared to the Sham group, and SH levels were significantly decreased in group 2. In the group 3 rats, MDA, nitrite and MPO levels were decreased when compared to group 2. Additionally there was a significant increase in histopathologic scores in group 2 compared to the Sham group, whereas the decrease in histopathologic scores of group 3 was found to be significant when compared to group 2. Similarly, caspase-3 and TUNEL scores were significantly high in group 2 compared to Sham group and the scores were significantly low in group 3 compared to group 2. Conclusion: Coenzyme Q10 improved the histopathological findings, the serum tests and tissue oxidative stress levels in post-RIR liver tissues. Our results show that coenzyme Q10 can play an important role in protection of liver against RIR-induced damage.