Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
07:49
Spinal Cord Neurons Isolation and Culture from Neonatal Mice
Published on: July 11, 2017
19.2K
Neuroprotective Effects of Coenzyme Q10 and Ozone Therapy on Experimental Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries in Rats
Gulce Gel1, Caner Unluer1, Erdal Resit Yılmaz1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Diskapi Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
World Neurosurgery
|April 30, 2024
Summary
Combined Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and ozone therapy shows significant neuroprotective effects and improves functional recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) models. This antioxidant and antiapoptotic treatment offers promising results for SCI management.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to significant secondary damage, including oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- Current treatments for SCI have limited efficacy in promoting functional recovery.
- Identifying novel therapeutic strategies is crucial for improving outcomes after SCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and ozone therapy in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI).
- To evaluate the potential of CoQ10 and ozone therapy, individually and in combination, to promote functional recovery after SCI.
- To elucidate the underlying antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanisms of these combined therapies.
Main Methods:
- Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgical induction of spinal cord trauma, divided into control, ozone, CoQ10, and combined treatment groups.
- Treatments included daily rectal ozone (0.7 mg/kg) or oral CoQ10 (120 mg/kg) for 7 days, with the combined group receiving both.
- Functional recovery was assessed using the Tarlov scale and inclined plane test; biochemical markers (MDA, caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax) and histopathological changes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Spinal cord injury significantly increased serum MDA and tissue caspase-3 and Bax levels, indicating oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- The combined CoQ10 + ozone therapy group showed significantly reduced MDA, caspase-3, and Bax levels compared to the trauma group.
- The combined treatment also led to significantly higher Bcl-2 levels and demonstrated improved histopathological, ultrastructural, and neurological outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Combined CoQ10 and ozone therapy exhibits significant neuroprotective effects in traumatic SCI.
- The therapeutic benefits are attributed to potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanisms.
- This combination therapy shows promise for enhancing functional recovery following spinal cord injury.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...