The Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Hormonal and Histopathological Changes in Female Wistar Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one the most common diseases in women in the fertility age. PCOS alters ovarian follicles and affects blood lipid profiles, liver enzymes and hormones. In this study, we tried to investigate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on PCOS pathological conditions. Methods: Twenty-four female rats were randomly divided into the three groups; 1: control group, 2: PCOS group (received 1 mg/ kg letrozole daily for 21 days, PO) and 3: PCOS+CoQ10 group (received 1 mg/kg letrozole with 10 mg/kg of CoQ10 for 21 days orally). Blood lipid profiles, liver enzymes, blood glucose and testosterone levels were measured and ovarian histopathology was evaluated. Results: Histological examination showed reduced number of antral follicles in PCOS+CoQ10 group as compared with PCOS group (P<0.001). PCOS increased the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme by acting on the liver (P<0.01). Administration of CoQ10 during PCOS induction was able to reduce ALT levels (P<0.01). PCOS increased the cholesterol (P<0.05), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P<0.05), triglyceride (P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P<0.05) and testosterone levels (P<0.001) compared to the control group. However, CoQ10 treatment significantly reduced the above-mentioned parameters compared to the PCOS group. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm that CoQ10 has a therapeutic potential for PCOS-induced lipid and hormonal changes and ovarian tissue damages. CoQ10 supplementation and its concomitant use with letrozole could inhibit the development of PCOS in rats. Testosterone reduction could be an important mechanism for CoQ10 beneficial effects.