Evaluation of coenzyme Q10 combined with or without N-acetyl cysteine or atorvastatin for preventing contrast-induced kidney injury in diabetic rats

Combined antioxidants effect for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains unclear. This study assessed the potential protective effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) alone or combined with N -acetyl cysteine (NAC) or atorvastatin against CIN in diabetic rats. Animals were randomly divided into five groups, including control and four disease groups with CIN and diabetes. Group 2 included diabetic rats with CIN. Groups 3–5 included diabetic rats that received CoQ10, CoQ10 and NAC , or CoQ10 and atorvastatin, respectively, before CIN induction. Serum, urine, and tissue were collected to evaluate renal protective effects of tested agents. Renal biomarkers, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations were investigated. Rats with CIN showed significant renal impairment as revealed by the deleterious effects on kidney function and histology. While induction of CIN did not affect the renal levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pretreatment of animals with CoQ10/NAC showed significant increase in GPx and catalase levels versus controls. Lastly, pretreatment with CoQ10/atorvastatin showed regenerative effect on distal tubules with mild kidney histology alterations relative to CIN rats. The combined use of CoQ10/atorvastatin could be a potential strategy to prevent CIN. However, future studies are warranted to test different combinations for longer prophylactic periods.