The protection of coenzyme Q10 against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity

It has been suggested that lipid peroxidation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) hepatotoxicity. In the present study, experimental liver injury induced by CCl4 could be inhibited by Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and in spite of exposure to CCl4 the liver tissue levels of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reacting substances were not increased in rats pretreated with CoQ10. In the in vitro experiment as well, the apparent liver tissue levels of TBA were decreased after addition of CoQ10. These facts provided evidences that CoQ10 possessed a direct antioxidative effect and protected against CCl4 hepatotoxicity by this antioxidative effect.