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Abstract
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Aims: Methotrexate (MTX), as a potent antimetabolic drug, is widely used to treat many cancers. This drug may cause damage to liver tissue with cytotoxic effects. Since coenzyme Q10 plays an essential role in electron transfer in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation and acts as a fat-soluble antioxidant in cell membranes and lipoproteins, it can eliminate the adverse effects of methotrexate. The purpose of this study is to investigate the tissue structure of the liver in mice consuming coenzyme Q10 and methotrexate Material & Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male NMRI mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6). Control group: 0.2 ml of distilled water, MTX group, methotrexate at a dose of 20 mg/kgBW once a week by intraperitoneal injection, CoEnQ10 group: coenzyme Q10 at a dose of 200 mg/kgBW three times a week orally and MTX+CoEnQ10 group: methotrexate (20 mg/kgBW-IP) once a week and coenzyme Q10 (200 mg/kgBW-Po) three times a week. All groups were treated for five weeks. After euthanizing, epididymal tails in order to evaluate the sperm parameters and testes, in order to investigate histological and morphometrical alterations and spermatogenesis index, were collected in different groups. Results: The histomorphometry and histomorphology of the liver tissue showed that the structure of liver cells, sinusoids, veins, bile ducts and the distribution of Kupffer cells were normal in the control and coenzyme Q10 groups. However, in the MTX group, ballooning of liver cells, lobular inflammation, increased number of deformed cells and decreased diameter of sinusoids were observed. In the group receiving MTX along with coenzyme Q10, adverse symptoms such as ballooning of liver cells and lobular inflammation were reduced, and the number of abnormal cells was reduced compared to the MTX group. Conclusion: From the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the use of coenzyme Q10 as a fat-soluble antioxidant in cell membranes and lipoproteins can reduce the adverse effects of methotrexate in liver tissue by antioxidant effects.
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