Abstract
The present study was designed to determine the superoxide production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in endotoxin shock and the antioxidative effect of coenzyme Q10. PMN were collected from rats before and after the intravenous administration of endotoxin. PMN were also collected from healthy humans. Superoxide production of PMN was measured by the cytochrome C method. Lipidperoxide in the liver was examined by the TBA method.
Twelve hours after the intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg endotoxin, superoxide production of PMN was 13 times higher than that in the control rats, and the amount of lipidperoxide in the liver was increased. In coenzyme Q10 treated endotoxin shock rats, superoxide productionwas significantly decreased, and lipidperoxide production in the liver was also inhibited. These findings suggest that endotoxin has a priming effect on the superoxide production of PMN and induces lipid peroxidation.
Furthermore coenzyme Q10 has an anti-endotoxin shock effect by inhibiting the superoxide production of PMN and lipidperoxidation in the liver.
