Coenzyme Q10 Administration Attenuates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: The activity of adenosine monophosphate activated protein Kinase (AMPK) is essential in maintaining overall cardiac health and preventing cardiomyopathy. This study investigated cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and AMPK activity in Wistar rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy that were treated with Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), a substance known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods: Forty-eight female Wistar rats (100-150 g) were divided into six groups (n=8). Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) was induced using 10% fructose in drinking water and streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg i.p.). Animals were thereafter grouped and treated as follows for 2 weeks; groups I (control), II (vehicle control) and III were non-diabetic, and received distilled water (2mL/kg/day), (Olive oil, 2ml/kg/day), and CoQ₁₀ (100mg/kg/day). DCM was induced in groups IV-VI and thereafter animals were treated with distilled water, CoQ₁₀ and metformin (250mg/kg/day), respectively. Blood sample were obtained and analysed for fasting glucose, insulin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). cardiac samples were assayed for AMPK, GLUT 4, and interleukin 6. Insulin resistance was estimated mathematically while cardiac histology was evaluated using standard methods.

Results: Untreated experimental DCM resulted in hyperglycemia, hyper-insulinaemia, insulin resistance, elevated BNP, reduced AMPK and GLUT 4 as well ventricular hypertrophy. Treatment with CoQ10 positively affected AMPK activity, exerted ameliorative effects, but did not completely reverse the cardiac structural aberrations caused by DCM.

Conclusion: Coenzyme Q₁₀ attenuates experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy through mechanisms associated with regulating cardiac energy metabolism and reducing inflammation.