Protective effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the oxidative stress and histological injury caused by nicotine in the ovary of rats

As a poison, nicotine leaves irreparable effects on various tissues of the body, including the reproductive system. Coenzyme Q10 has a tremendous effect in raising the body's antioxidant level and preventing poisoning. In the current study, the protective effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the changes induced by nicotine in the rat ovary was investigated. For this purpose, 32 adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8. The rats of the first group (control) were only fed with the usual diet, but the animals of the second group were treated with nicotine at the rate of 0.2 mg/kg, the rats of the third group were treated with coenzyme Q10 at the rate of 75 mg/kg and the animals of the fourth group were treated simultaneously using nicotine and coenzyme Q10 (with the same amounts) through gavage. At the end of the study period (45 days), the animals were euthanised and blood samples were taken for hormonal and antioxidant tests. Also, ovarian tissue was sampled for histological studies. In animals treated with nicotine, there was an increase in follicular atresia, tissue damage, an increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, along with a decrease in the number of ovarian follicles, a decrease in the amount of estrogen and follicle stimulating hormones, and the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. But in animals receiving nicotine and coenzyme Q10 at the same time, there was a significant improvement in ovarian function and structure. This study shows coenzyme Q10 can play a protective role against oxidative stress and tissue changes caused by nicotine in the ovaries of rats with the mechanism of balancing the antioxidant status and reproductive hormones.