Effect of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Background/Aim: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity by damaging the kidneys due to high relative blood flow. In this study, the protective and therapeutic effects of CoQ₁₀ and vitamin E on GM-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated.

Methods: Fifty Wistar Albino rats were used as live material in this study, which were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 animals. These groups, and the treatment they received, were as follows: a) control group: Physiological saline (i.p) for 8 days, b) GM group: Gentamycin 80 mg/kg/day/i.p for 8 days, c) GM+CoQ10 group: Gentamycin 80 mg/kg/day/i.p+ CoQ10 10 mg/kg/day/ i.p for 8 days, d) GM+ Vit E group: Gentamycin 80 mg/kg/day/i.p+ Vit E 250 mg/kg /day/ip administrated for 8 days, and e) GM+CoQ10+Vit E group: Gentamycin 80 mg/kg/day/ip + CoQ10 10 mg/kg/day/ip + Vitamin E 250 mg/kg /day/ip for 8 days. Following the test period, urea, creatinine, K, Na, Cl, retinol, vitamin D, and vitamin E levels of the subjects were measured in plasma, while MDA, GSH, AOPP, nitrite, nitrates, CAT, SOD, and GPx activities were measured in kidney tissues.

Results: A severe nephrotoxic effect of GM administration in rats were detected as part of this study. The administration of CoQ₁₀ and vitamin E, alone or in combination, was not sufficient to repair the kidney damage at the histopathological level. However, the renal tissue enzyme levels, along with other related to oxidative stress and plasma biochemical parameter analyses, were found to have improved greatly with the administration of vitamin E.

Conclusion: CoQ₁₀ and vitamin E can be suggested as supplementary agents to gentamicin treatment to prevent cell degeneration in the kidney and ensure healing