Cytoprotective Role of Co-Enzyme Q10 on the Spleen of Immunosuppressed Female Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of Co-enzyme Q10 supplementation on the histology of the spleen in immunocompromised female Albino Wistar rats.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021 at the Anatomy Department of Isra University Hyderabad. Forty female adult Albino Wistar rats (n=10/group) were included in the present study, divided into 4 groups where A was kept as vehicle control, B as experimental group, C as pre-treatment group, and D was kept as post-treatment. All drugs were administered through the intraperitoneal route. On Day 09, animals were sacrificed through cervical dislocation and dissected. Spleen was carefully dissected from each animal and washed thoroughly with distilled water, and tissue was fixed in 10% formalin and processed for light microscopy.

Results: On the histopathological findings, the moderate and severe white pulp atrophy was significantly higher in group B (p-0.001). All the animals of control group A were without haemorrhagic findings, while mild haemorrhage was seen in 3 animals of group b, 3 animals in group C and 3 animals of group D. Moderate haemorrhage was seen in 5 animals of group B and 2 animals of group D, while severe haemorrhage was seen only in 2 animals of group B. The moderate and severe haemorrhage was significantly higher in group B (p-0.001). Furthermore, the moderate and severe necrosis was significantly higher in group B (p-0.001).

Conclusion: The histological changes, including white pulp atrophy, haemorrhage, and necrosis, were most frequently observed in the spleens of immunosuppressed female rats treated with cyclophosphamide. A significant cytoprotective effect of Coenzyme Q10 was noted in these rats, as spleen histology showed marked improvement in those treated with Coenzyme Q10 alongside cyclophosphamide, regardless of whether Coenzyme Q10 was administered before or after the start of cyclophosphamide treatment.