Antioxidant Effect of on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

The antioxidant effect of $CoQ_{10}$ on N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced oxidative stress was investigated in mice. Food intake and body weight were similar in both $CoQ_{10}$ and control groups during the 3-week experimental period. NDEA significantly increased the activities of typical marker enzymes of liver function (AST, ALT and ALP) both in control and $CoQ_{10}$ groups. However, the increase of plasma aminotransferase activity was significantly reduced in the $CoQ_{10}$ group. Lipid peroxidation in various tissues, such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and plasma, was significantly increased by NDEA, but this increase was significantly reduced by 100 mg/kg of $CoQ_{10}$. Superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly upon NDEA-induced oxidative stress in both the control and $CoQ_{10}$ groups with the effect being less in the $CoQ_{10}$ group. Catalase activity decreased significantly in both the control and $CoQ_{10}$ groups treated with NDEA, again with the effect being less in the $CoQ_{10}$ group. The lesser effect on superoxide dismutase and catalase in the NDEA-treated $CoQ_{10}$ group is indicative of the protective effect $CoQ_{10}$. Thus, $CoQ_{10}$ can offer useful protection against NDEA-induced oxidative stress.