Histopathological changes in liver tissue after repeated administrations of an intermediate dose of coenzyme Q10 to wistar rats

Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) or ubiquinone plays an important role in the cellular metabolism. The safety profile of ubiquinone as a dietary supplement has been assessed in few sub-chronic toxicity studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible hepatotoxic effect of long-term oral administration of an intermediate oral dose of Co-Q10 in experimental animals. Fifteen Wistar rats were treated with 300mg/kg daily oral doses of Co-Q10 using forced oral feeding for six weeks. Additional 5 healthy rats represented the control group for comparison. All rats were euthanized at the end of the 6^th week. Then H and E stained histological sections of rats ’livers revealed vacuolation of hepatocytes, an increase in the diffusion of macrophages and the formation of microgranuloma most probably indicating a drug-induced injury. In conclusion, this study adds evidence supporting the potential hepatotoxic actions resulting from repeated administration of intermediate oral dose of Co-Q10 especially on the long-term.