Radioprotective effects of coenzyme Q10 on X-ray radiation-induced intestinal damage via oxidative stress and apoptosis

Abstract

Aim: The World Health Organization reported that cancer was the cause of death for 9.7 million people in 2022, and the numbers continue to rise every day. The present study examines the potential radioprotective effects of ubiquinone against x-ray radiation-induced intestinal damage and offers insight into new near-future methods for the treatment of radiation-induced tissue toxicity. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I (control) received no treatment during the experiment; Group II (IR [a single dose of 2 Gy pelvic/abdominal ionizing radiation]) received radiation only; Group III (a low dose of CoQ10 [30 mg/kg CoQ10 by oral gavage for 7 d] + IR) and Group IV (a high dose of CoQ10 [150 mg/kg CoQ10 by oral gavage for 7 d] + IR). The rats were sacrificed 24 h after x-ray radiation, and tissues were collected from the small intestine and subjected to histochemical analysis. Results: Diffuse villous fusion, enterocyte loss, hemorrhagic areas, inflammation, and fibrosis were observed in the IR group, as well as an increase in apoptotic enterocytes. In contrast, a decrease was observed in the IR+LD-CoQ10 and IR+HD-CoQ10 groups, along with a decrease, especially in villous fusion and enterocyte loss, hemorrhagic areas, inflammation, and fibrosis. Conclusion: CoQ10 was found to reduce duodenal damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by x-ray radiation exposure and had a radioprotective effect.