Protective Effect of Co Q10 and Candesartan on Bleomyycin Induced Lung Fibrosis in Rats

Fibrosis of the lungs is the final phase of many lung illnesses. Its characterized by excessive matrix production leading to the normal lung architecture destruction and eventually death. CoQ10 is an essential constituent of membrane oxidoreductase System. It is an intracellularly localized antioxidant   enzyme that is endogenously synthesized in humans. CoQ10 protects cellular components from destruction by free radical-induced oxidative damage. candesartan is a selective antagonist of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and is widely employed for treatment of hypertension. Most up to date research shows angiotensin II close involvement with damage and fibrosis process in tissues of organs of circulation. Objective: This animal study was designed to investigate the effect of Co Q10 and candesartan as antifibrotic agents against pulmonary fibrosis focusing on selected markers involved in pulmonary fibrosis. Materials and Method: 48 rats divided randomly into four groups, each consisting of 12 male rats. Group I: (Control group), the rats in this group received single injection of 0.2 ml normal saline via intratracheal route. Group II: (The BLM group), received BLM (8.3 U/kg) as a single dose via the intratracheal rout. Group III: (BLM+CoQ10 group) rats receive BLM (8.3 U/kg) as sulfate salt dissolved in 0.1 ml of normal saline via the intratracheal instillation concomitant with 100 mg/kg co Q 10 per day orally for 5 days before and 10 days after BLM injection. Group IV: (BLM+ candesartan group) rats receive BLM (8.3 U/kg) as sulfate salt dissolved in 0.1 ml of normal saline via the intratracheal instillation concomitant with (10 mg/kg) candesartan per day orally for 5 days before and 10 days after BLM injection. The studied serum biomarkers were glutathione, arachidonate 5 lipoxygenase in addition to histopathological examination using trichrome stain.  Results: serum GSH concentration was lower in BLM group in comparison with the control group and the (BLM+ CoQ10) but this difference is not statistically significant. The serum GSH levels showed a significant(P<0.05) elevation in (BLM+ Candesartan) group when compared with the levels in the BLM group. The serum ALOX5 concentration was significantly elevated in BLM group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The serum ALOX5 levels were highly significantly lower in (BLM +CoQ10) (P < 0.01) and very highly significantly lower in the (BLM+ Candesartan) group (P < 0.001) when comparing it with the levels in the BLM group. furthermore, histologically CoQ10 and candesartan showed reduction in the numbers of inflammation cells and a decrease in the damage to the lung architecture and fibrosis induced by bleomycin. Conclusion: CoQ10 and candesartan decrease pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in male rats.