Introduction: Saccharin (Sac) is a sweetener that is still regarded as a carcinogen and diabetic inducer in some parts of the world. In the current study, we explored the effects of coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) against saccharin on brain metabolic syndrome.
Methods: A total of 108 adult male rats were divided into two experiments. The first experiment assessed the lethal dose 50 (LD50) of saccharin (12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, and 25 g/kg b.wt). Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups, which contained eight rats each. In the second experiment, 60 rats were divided into six groups (10 rats/each). Groups included the following: control group (G1), COQ10 20 mg/kg b.wt treatment group (G2), Sac 1/10 LD50 treatment group (G3), Sac 1/20 LD50 treatment group (G4), Sac 1/10 LD50 plus COQ10 treatment group (G5), and Sac 1/20 LD50 plus COQ10 treatment group (G6). Sac and COQ10 were administered orally for 30 days. Behavioral tests (Morris water maze and open field tests) were carried out toward the end of the examination.
Results: Data revealed that different levels of Sac in the treatment groups caused decreased behavioral responses and brain monoamines levels as well as increased metabolite levels, antioxidant status, and thyroid hormones. On the contrary, COQ10 treatment groups showed amelioration in comparison with Sac and almost recovered compared with the control group. Biochemical data were confirmed with histopathological examination.
Conclusion: COQ10 ameliorates oxidative stress and acts as a neuromodulator in the brain to stimulate monoamine secretion.
Key words: Neuroprotective, Saccharin, Coenzyme Q10, Rats.
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