Abstract
Introduction: Mesangial expansion is the main factor that leads to renal failure in diabetic patients. Oxidative stress is the most important factor in induction of diabetic mesangial expansion.
Objectives: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) as an antioxidant against diabetic mesangial expansion through the stereological methods.
Materials and Methods: Thirty male rats (180–200 g) were divided into three groups: control (group 1), diabetic without treatment (group 2) and diabetic treatment with Co Q10 (group 3). The animals received Co Q10 (15 mg/kg/d i.p.) during the study. After eight weeks of treatment, the left kidneys of animals were fixed in 10% formal saline. Kidney slices (1 mm thickness) processed and then paraffin sections (5 µ thickness) were prepared and stained through periodic acid Schiff (PAS) method. Glomerular volume, mesangium volume, glomerular capillary volume and mesangial cells were estimated stereologically.
Results: Diabetes increased significantly mesangium volume, mesangial cells, and glomerular volume and decreased lumen of glomerular capillary when compared with the control group. Co Q10 therapy ameliorated these variables in comparison with group 2 (P<0.05) but could not save these variables at the same level as that of the control group.
Conclusion: Coenzyme Q10 ameliorated significantly mesangial expansion in diabetic rats via inhibition of mesangial matrix production or mesangial cell number proliferation through inhibition of oxidative stress.