Alpha-lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10 combination ameliorates experimental diabetic neuropathy by modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the most common complication of diabetes. Neuroprotective effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been previously shown in DN, but underlying mechanisms involved not been exactly found. The present study explored the neuroprotective effects of ALA and Q10 combination in experimental DN by ameliorating oxidative stress and apoptosis. We investigated the effects of CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, orally, five weeks) and/or ALA (100 mg/kg, orally, five weeks) in STZ (45 mg/kg, i.p.)- induced DN in rats. After treatments motor function, oxidative stress biomarkers, ATP levels, expression of caspase 3 and UCP2 proteins were assessed by open-field, biochemical and ELISA methods and Western blot analysis. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were histologically examined using H&E staining method. ALA and/or CoQ10 treatment significantly (p