HISTOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF COQ10 AGAINST VITAMIN D3 INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D₃ toxicity is increasing due to its easy availability and unprescribed use of vitamin D₃ supplements. With the increasing awareness about vitamin D₃ deficiency and increase in number of prescriptions by physician without proper laboratory investigation may leads to increased risk of vitamin D₃ toxicity.

Objectives: To determine the toxic effects of Vitamin D₃ on cardiac muscles and to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of Coenzyme Q₁₀ on Vitamin D₃ induced cardiotoxicity in albino rats.

Methodology: Animals were randomly divided into four groups with 10 animals in each group. Group I (Control), Group II (Vitamin D₃ at 2 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), Group III (Vitamin D₃ + CoQ₁₀ 10mg/kg/day simultaneously for 4 weeks) and Group IV (Vitamin D₃ for 2 weeks followed by CoQ₁₀ 10mg/kg/day for 2 weeks). Histological features such as nuclear status, branching pattern, mononuclear infiltrates, calcium deposition and fibrosis in cardiomyocytes using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Von Kossa staining were studied.

Results: Group II showed significantly deranged cardiomyocyte architecture, fibrosis and calcification. Group III showed normal cardiomyocyte architecture. Group IV showed partial histological recovery, suggesting reduced efficacy with delayed intervention.

Conclusion: Combined use of Coenzyme Q₁₀ and Vitamin D₃ prevented myocardial tissue injury, and ultimately maintaining proper functioning of cardiac tissue

Key words: cholecalciferol, cardioprotective, cardiotoxicity, Coenzyme Q10, Fibrosis, Calcification.