Protective Effects of Co-Enzyme Q10 on Thioacetamide-Induced Acute Liver Damage and Its Correlation With Behavioral, Biochemical, and Pathological Factors

Interactive effects of cadmium and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on hepatic tissue in rats: Ameliorative role of coenzyme 10 via modulation of the NF-κB and TNFα pathway

This study investigated the effect of oral dosing of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) and cadmium (Cd2+) on rat liver and the potential protective role of coenzyme Q10 (CQ10) against TNPs and Cd2+-induced hepatic injury. Seventy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into seven groups and orally given distilled water, corn oil, CQ10 (10 mg/kg b.wt), TNPs (50 mg/kg b.wt), Cd2+ (5 mg/kg b.wt), TNPs + Cd2+, or TNPs + Cd2++CQ10 by gastric gavage for 60 successive days. The results showed that individual or mutual exposure to TNPs and Cd2+ significantly increased the serum levels of various hepatic enzymes and lipids, depleted the hepatic content of antioxidant enzymes, and increased malondialdehyde. Moreover, the hepatic titanium and Cd2+ content were increased considerably in TNPs and/or Cd2+-exposed rats. Furthermore, marked histopathological perturbations with increased immunoexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nuclear factor kappa B were evident in TNPs and/or Cd2+-exposed rats. However, CQ10 significantly counteracted the damaging effect of combined exposure of TNPs and Cd2+ on the liver. The study concluded that TNPs and Cd2+ exposure harm hepatic function and its architecture, particularly at their mutual exposure, but CQ10 could be a candidate protective agent against TNPs and Cd2+ hepatotoxic impacts.

Anti-inflammatory strategies for hepatic encephalopathy: preclinical studies

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a potentially reversible neuropsychiatric syndrome. Often, HE causes cognitive and motor dysfunctions due to an acute or chronic insufficiency of the liver or a shunting between the hepatic portal vein and systemic vasculature. Liver damage induces peripheral changes, such as in the metabolism and peripheral inflammatory responses that trigger exacerbated neuroinflammation. In experimental models, anti-inflammatory strategies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects, leading to a reduction in HE-related cognitive and motor impairments. In this scenario, a growing body of evidence has shown that peripheral and central nervous system inflammation are promising preclinical targets. In this review, we performed an overview of FDA-approved drugs and natural compounds which are used in the treatment of other neurological and nonneurological diseases that have played a neuroprotective role in experimental HE, at least in part, through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Despite the exciting results from animal models, the available data should be critically interpreted, highlighting the importance of translating the findings for clinical essays.

Ameliorative effect of oregano (Origanum vulgare) versus silymarin in experimentally induced hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a deterioration of brain function in patients suffering from chronic liver disease, cirrhosis as a result of elevated blood ammonia and the production of pseudo-neurotransmitters. Herein, we investigated the chemical composition of hexane extract from Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare) leaves as well as its possible protective effects against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE in rats. GC-MS analysis of the extract revealed tentative identification of twenty-five compounds (82.93%), predominated by cholesten-3-one (27.30%), followed by γ-tocopherol (13.52%), α-tocopherol (5.01%), β-amyrin (5.24%) and α-amyrin (4.89%). Albino rats were distributed into seven groups (n = 7). G₁ served as negative control; G₂ and G₃ served as controls treated with O. vulgare (100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o b.w, respectively); G₄ served as TAA-positive control group (100 mg/kg/day/i.p., three alternative days per week for six weeks); G5, G6, and G7 served as TAA -induced HE rat model that received O. vulgare 100, O. vulgare 200, and silymarin (100 mg/kg of SILY, as standard drug), respectively. TAA showed depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in forced swimming test (FST) and reduction of cognitive score in elevated plus-maze test (EPMT) as well as impairment of locomotor and exploratory activities in open-field test (OFT). TAA caused a significant decline in body weight gain; however, the relative liver weight and brain water content were statistically increased. TAA-intoxicated rats showed significant increase of serum biomarker enzymes, proinflammatory cytokines, blood ammonia levels, brain serotonin, acetyl cholinesterase and cellular lipid peroxidation with significant decrease of brain dopamine, norepinephrine, antioxidant status. The hepatoprotective/neuro-protective activities of O. vulgare was found to be comparable with that of SILY in HE rats model. Where, treatment of TAA-intoxicated rats with O. vulgare attenuated anxiety, depressive-related behaviors, and reduced the biochemical changes in HE-induced by TAA. Therefore, O. vulgare could be an excellent hepato-/neuroprotective against hepatic injury and HE via improving the oxidative/inflammatory status through its antioxidant and neuro-modulatory properties and its effect is equal to that of SILY.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Coenzyme Q10 in Rats with Diclofenac Toxicity

The liver and kidney are the most important organs in the body, and they both act as target structures for drug-induced injury as a consequence of their functions in metabolisms, detoxifications, storage, elimination of medications, and their metabolites. The present study aimed to examine the role of the natural and free radical scavenger "CoQ10" against diclofenac-induced hepatic and renal tissue injury. In total, 36 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=12). The animals in the control group did not receive any medication or treatments, and the second group included animals that received intramuscular (IM) injection of Diclofenac (DF) (at a dose of 10 mg/kg once daily for 14 days). Moreover, the third group was given the IM injection of DF (at a dose of 10 mg/kg once daily for 14 days) +CoQ10. After 14 days, DF prompted signified hepatic and renal injury indicated by elevated biochemical parameters, such as total serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid, compared to the control and the third group. However, the group that received Diclofenac+CoQ10 had significantly lower hepatic and renal dysfunctions, compared to the second treated group. DF toxic effects could be the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction and free radical effects. Remarkably, therapeutic supplementation of CoQ10 diminished the DF-induced toxic oxidative injury and apoptotic cell death. The protective effects of CoQ10 were attributed to its antioxidants and free radical scavenger activity.

Effects of Sub Lethal Concentrations of Sodium Fluoride on Sperm Activity and on the level of Sex Hormones of Adult Male Albino Rats

In recent years, fluorosis caused many problems in humans and animals bodies. Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, bone fractures, decreased birth rates, adverse effects on the male genital system, like damaging the structure of testes and epididymis and loosing fertilization ability can be considered as good examples of fluorosis. Thus, the current study aimed to determine the toxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the activity of sperm and the level of sex hormones including testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. For achieving this purpose, thirty adult albino male rats, aged between 90-100 days, were divided randomly into two treated groups with 10 rats for each group which were treated with 150, 300 ppm of sodium fluoride,respectively. In addition, 10 rats were kept as a control group. Sodium fluoride was offered to the treated groups in the drinking water to evaluate the toxic effect of NaF on male reproductive system, sperm concentration, sperm motion, and sperm velocity compared with control group. The findings revealed a significant decrease in the sperm concentration, sperm count, sperm motion, sperm velocity and the level of sexual hormones in comparison with the control group. It can be concluded that NaF may reduce the efficiency of male reproductive system, and reduce the levels of sexual hormones in rats

Drug-induced-acute liver failure: A critical appraisal of the thioacetamide model for the study of hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) following acute and chronic liver failure is defined as a complex of neuropsychiatric abnormalities, such as discrete personal changes, sleep disorder, forgetfulness, confusion, and decreasing the level of consciousness to coma. The use and design of suitable animal models that represent clinical features and pathological changes of HE are valuable to map the molecular mechanisms that result in HE. Among different types of animal models, thioacetamide (TAA) has been used extensively for the induction of acute liver injury and HE. This agent is not directly hepatotoxic but its metabolites induce liver injury through the induction of oxidative stress and produce systemic inflammation similar to that seen in acute HE patients. In this short review article, we shortly review the most important pathological findings in animal models of acute HE following the administration of TAA.

Cubosomes as a Potential Oral Drug Delivery System for Enhancing the Hepatoprotective Effect of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) acts as an antioxidant that protects the cells by preventing lipid peroxidation. Owing to its low solubility, CoQ10 has shown poor delivery properties and poor bioavailability. The aim of this study is to develop CoQ10 loaded cubosomes in order to enhance its oral delivery and hepatoprotective activity. Cubosomes are cubic nanostructured systems resulting from the colloidal dispersion of cubic liquid crystalline structure in water. CoQ10 loaded cubosomes were prepared using poloxamer 407 and glyceryl monooleate at three weight ratios (1:2.5, 1:5 and 1:7.5) and were further characterized. They were investigated for their hepatoprotective effect in thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The developed CoQ10 cubosomes exhibited moderate to high entrapment efficiency percentages (44.69-75.96%), nanometric dimensions (132.4-223.2 nm), and negatively charged zeta potential values (<-21.3). In-vitro release profiles showed a sustained release of CoQ10 from the developed cubosomes up to 48 h. In-vivo study revealed an improved hepatoprotective effect of CoQ10 cubosomes via reducing liver enzymes, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde as well as elevating phosphoinositide 3-kinase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, compared to plain drug. These results were in good agreement with histopathological investigations. Consequently, the developed cubosomes showed a potential effect in enhancing the hepatoprotective activity of CoQ10.

Effect of antioxidants coenzyme Q10 and β-carotene on the cytotoxicity of vemurafenib against human malignant melanoma

Melanoma is a type of highly invasive skin cancer derived from melanocytes with poor prognosis. Vemurafenib (PLX4032) is a clinically approved targeted therapeutic for BRAF mutant melanoma that has a high therapeutic response rate and significantly prolongs the overall survival time of patients with melanoma. Antioxidants have been widely used as supplements for cancer prevention and for decreasing the side effects of cancer therapy. However, antioxidants can also protect cancer cells from oxidative stress and promote cancer growth and progression. The present study aimed to examine the effect of the antioxidants coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and β-carotene on melanoma cell growth and invasiveness and on the cytotoxicity of vemurafenib against both vemurafenib-sensitive (SK-MEL-28) and vemurafenib-resistant (A2058) human malignant melanoma cell lines. MTS assay and wound-healing assay demonstrated that CoQ10 alone significantly reduced the viability and migration of melanoma cells, respectively, and synergistically worked with vemurafenib to decrease the viability and migration of human melanoma cells. In contrast, MTS assay and flow cytometry revealed that β-carotene alone did not affect the viability and apoptosis induction of melanoma cells; however, it inhibited cell migration and invasiveness. Wound-healing and Transwell assay demonstrated that β-carotene alleviated the cytotoxicity of vemurafenib and mitigated the inhibitory effect of vemurafenib on cell migration and invasion. Both CoQ10 and β-carotene protected melanoma cells from undergoing apoptosis induced by vemurafenib. Immunoblotting demonstrated that β-carotene at physiological concentration worked synergistically with vemurafenib to suppress the Ras-Raf-Mek-Erk intracellular signaling pathway. The present study aimed to add to the evidence of the in vitro effects of CoQ10 and β-carotene on the antimelanoma effects of vemurafenib.

Protective Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Acute Sepsis-Induced Liver Injury in BALB/c Mice

Sepsis increases the risk of the liver injury development. According to the research works, coenzyme Q10 exhibits hepatoprotective properties in vivo as well as in vitro. Current work aimed at investigating the protective impacts of coenzyme Q10 against liver injury in septic BALB/c mice. The male BALB/c mice were randomly segregated into 4 groups: the control group, the coenzyme Q10 treatment group, the puncture and cecal ligation group, and the coenzyme Q10+cecal ligation and puncture group. Cecal ligation and puncture was conducted after gavagaging the mice with coenzyme Q10 during two weeks. Following 48 h postcecal ligation and puncture, we estimated hepatic biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in hepatic tissue. We evaluated the expression of factors associated with autophagy, pyroptosis, and inflammation. Findings indicated that coenzyme Q10 decreased the plasma levels in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in the cecal ligation and puncture group. Coenzyme Q10 significantly inhibited the elevation of sequestosome-1, interleukin-1β, oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 and nucleotide-binding, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression levels; coenzyme Q10 also increased beclin 1 levels. Coenzyme Q10 might be a significant agent in the treatment of liver injury induced by sepsis.

Effect of Resveratrol on Thioacetamide-induced Liver Damage in Rat Models

Background: The current treatments of liver diseases are not sufficiently effective, and there has been no therapy that can successfully prevent liver failure and its complications. Previous studies have suggested that resveratrol could inhibit the progression of hepatic diseases based on its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potentials. Objectives: The present study evaluated the hepato-protective effects of resveratrol in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute liver damage in rats using neurobehavioral and biochemical parameters. Methods: Forty-eight healthy adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups: C1: healthy control group, C2: non-treated liver failure, E1: liver failure treated with resveratrol 5 mg/kg/day, and E2: liver failure treated with resveratrol 10 mg/kg/day. Aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT), alkaline phosphatase (Alk), total bilirubin (TB), and plasma-ammonia (NH4) were analyzed, and histopathological evaluations of the specimens were carried out after sacrificing the models. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) grading, open-field, elevated plus arms, and forced-swimming tests were performed in the study. Results: The resveratrol-treated groups had lower serum concentrations of NH4, ALT, and AST than the C2 group (P < 0.05). The pathological evaluations demonstrated that resveratrol-treated groups had better outcomes in inflammatory cell infiltration, apoptosis, vacuolization, liver tissue necrosis, and liver damage stage than the C2 group (P < 0.05). They also showed lower grades of HE, higher locomotor activity (open-field test), and diminished levels of depression (forced-swimming) when compared to the C2 group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Resveratrol supplementation can improve liver damage as AST, ALT, NH4, and tissue damages were decreased after administering the agent in TAA-induced liver damage. Resveratrol can also improve the neurobehavioral manifestations in animal models of liver failure.

Combination of Omega 3 and Coenzyme Q10 Exerts Neuroprotective Potential Against Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Alzheimer's-Like Disease in Rats

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that progressively disrupts neurocognitive function, which has neither cure nor effective treatment. Hypercholesterolemia might be involved in brain alterations that could evolve into AD. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of omega-3, Co-enzyme Q10 (Co-Q10), as well as their combination in ameliorating hypercholesterolemia-initiated AD-like disease. We adapted a hypercholesterolemic (HC) rat model, a model of oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration, to study AD-like pathology. Hypercholesterolemia resulted in increased lipid peroxidation coupled with declined nitric oxide production, reduced glutathione levels, and decreased antioxidant activities of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the brain. Moreover, hypercholesterolemia resulted in decreased acetylcholine (ACh) levels and increased acetylcholine-esterase (AChE) activity, along with an increment of tumor necrosis factor and amyloid-β 42. Behaviorally, HC-rats demonstrated depressive-like behavior and declined memory. Treatment of HC-rats with omega-3 and Co-Q10 (alone or in combination) alleviated the brain oxidative stress and inflammation, regulated cholinergic functioning, and enhanced the functional outcome. These findings were verified by the histopathological investigation of brain tissues. This neuroprotective potential of omega-3 and Co-Q10 was achieved through anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, pro-cholinergic, and memory-enhancing activities against HC-induced AD-like disease; suggesting that they may be useful as prophylactic and therapeutic agents against the neurotoxic effects of hypercholesterolemia.

Ammonium induced dysfunction of 5-HT2B receptor in astrocytes

Previously we reported that gene expression of astrocytic 5-HT_2B receptors was decreased in brains of depressed animals exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) (Li et al., 2012) and of Parkinson's disease (Song et al., 2018). Depression is also one of the psychiatric symptoms in hyperammonemia, and astrocyte is a primary target of ammonium in brain in vivo. In the present study, we have used preparations of the brains of urease-treated mice and ammonium-treated astrocytes in culture to study gene expression and function of 5-HT_2B receptors. The urease-treated mice showed depressive behaviour. Both mRNA and protein of 5-HT_2B receptors were increased in the brains of urease-treated mice and in ammonium-treated cultured astrocytes. Further study revealed that mRNA and protein expression of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2), an enzyme catalyze RNA deamination of adenosine to inosine was increased in the brains of urease-treated mice and in ammonium-treated cultured astrocytes. This increase in ADAR2 induced RNA editing of 5-HT_2B receptors. Cultured astrocytes treated with ammonium lost 5-HT induced Ca²⁺ signalling and ERK_1/2 phosphorylation, indicating dysfunction of 5-HT_2B receptors. This is in agreement with our previous observation that edited 5-HT_2B receptors no longer respond to 5-HT (Hertz et al., 2014). Ammonium effects are inhibited by ADAR2 siRNA in cultured astrocytes, suggesting that increased gene expression and editing and loss of function of 5-HT_2B receptors are results of increased activity of ADAR2. In summary, we have demonstrated that functional malfunction of astrocytic 5-HT_2B receptors occurs in animal models of major depression, Parkinson depression and hepatic encephalopathy albeit via different mechanisms. Understanding the role of astrocytic 5-HT_2B receptors in different pathological contexts may instigate development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating disease-specific depressive behaviour.