Protective Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity in the Mouse Brain

Abstract

We investigate the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity in the mouse brain. We used 30 mice divided into three groups containing 10 animals each: a control group, a brain injury group treated with METH and a group treated with METH+CoQ10. Various assays, such as protein thiol group, glutathione total, lipid peroxidation, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, were used to assess the damage caused by METH and the protective effects of CoQ10 on brain tissues. The METH-induced brain injury significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the level of the thiol group, the glutathione total and the activity of brain antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). The CoQ10 supplementation prevents all of these typically observed changes in METH-treated mice. Our results reveal that CoQ10 is potentially protective against METH-induced neurotoxicity in mice.