The effect of coenzyme-Q10 on neuroinflammation and hippocampal cell damage in a model of monosodium glutamate induced excitotoxicity

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) induces excitotoxicity and cell damage in different areas of the brain, especially the hippocampus. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) on hippocampal cell damage in MSG-treated rats.

Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, MSG, MSG+Q10-10 and MSG+Q10-20. MSG (3 gr/kg, orally) and Co-Q10 (20 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were administered day after day for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the brain hippocampus was isolated quickly on ice. Hippocampal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were estimated by ELISA technique. Finally, the density of dark neurons in different areas of the hippocampus was measured by stereology method.

In comparison with MSG group, Co-Q10 treatment significantly reduced inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in the hippocampus of Co-Q10-treated rats (p <0.05). The density of dark neurons in CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus was significantly reduced in the Co-Q10 group compared with the MSG group (p˂0.05).

The anti-inflammatory properties of coenzyme Q10 may be responsible for its neuroprotective function in the hippocampus and ameliorates MSG-induced neurotoxicity in rats.