Antiatherogenic, hepatoprotective, and hypolipidemic effects of coenzyme Q۱۰ in alloxan-induced type ۱ diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus, one of the leading metabolic syndromes, accounts for highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study, we examined possible protective effect of coenzyme Q۱۰ on lipid profile, atherogenic index, and liver enzyme markers in alloxan-induced type ۱ diabetic rats. METHODS: A total of ۳۰ male rats were randomly divided into three groups; group ۱ as control, group ۲ diabetic untreatment, and group ۳ treatments with coenzyme Q۱۰ by ۱۵ mg/kg i.p. daily, respectively .Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After ۸ weeks, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), atherogenic index, atherogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of all groups were analyzed. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Mann-Whitney test (using SPSS) and P < ۰.۰۵ was considered as significant. RESULTS: Coenzyme Q۱۰ inhibited significantly the activities of ALT (۱۱.۱۷%), AST (۱۹.۳۵%) and ALP (۳۶.۶۷%) and decreased FBG (۲۱.۱۹%), TG (۳۷.۲۴%), TC (۱۷.۱۵%), LDL (۳۰.۴۴%), VLDL (۳۷.۲۴%), atherogenic index (۴۴.۲۴%), atherogenic coefficient (۴۹.۶۹%), and cardiac risk ratio (۳۷.۹۷%), HDL level was significantly (۳۳.۳۸%) increased when treated with coenzyme Q۱۰. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that coenzyme Q۱۰ exert beneficial effects on the lipid profile, atherogenic index, and liver enzymes activity in alloxan-induced type ۱ diabetic rats.   Keywords: Diabetes, Lipid Profile, Atherogenic Index, Rats, Liver Enzymes, Coenzyme Q۱۰