Antioxidant Effect of CoQ<SUB>10</SUB> on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced Oxida</SUB>tive Stress in Mice

Antioxidant Effect of CoQ<SUB>10</SUB> on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced Oxida</SUB>tive Stress in Mice

The antioxidant effect of CoQ₁₀ on N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced oxidative stress was investigated in mice. Food intake and body weight were similar in both CoQ₁₀ and control groups during the 3-week experimental period. NDEA significantly increased the activities of typical marker enzymes of liver function (AST, ALT and ALP) both in control and CoQ₁₀ groups. However, the increase of plasma aminotransferase activity was significantly reduced in the CoQ₁₀ group. Lipid peroxidation in various tissues, such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and plasma, was significantly increased by NDEA, but this increase was significantly reduced by 100 mg/kg of CoQ₁₀. Superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly upon NDEA-induced oxidative stress in both the control and CoQ₁₀ groups with the effect being less in the CoQ₁₀ group. Catalase activity decreased significantly in both the control and CoQ₁₀ groups treated with NDEA, again with the effect being less in the CoQ₁₀ group. The lesser effect on superoxide dismutase and catalase in the NDEA-treated CoQ₁₀ group is indicative of the protective effect CoQ₁₀. Thus, CoQ₁₀ can offer useful protection against NDEA-induced oxidative stress.