Abstract:
Objective: To establish the modulatory effects of coenzyme Q10 on experimental trypanosome
infections in mice and evaluate the risk of occurrence and severity of melarsoprol-induced post
treatment reactive encephalopathy (PTRE). Methods: Female Swiss white mice were orally administered with 200 mg/kg of coenzyme
Q10 after which they were intraperitoneally inoculated with Trypanasoma brucei rhodesiense
(T. b. rhodesiense). The resultant infection was allowed to develop and simulate all phases of
human African trypanosomiasis and PTRE. Parasitaemia development, packed cell volume,
haematological and pathological changes were determined. Results: A histological study in the brain tissue of T. b. rhodesiense infected mice demonstrated
neuroinflammatory pathology which was highly amplified in the PTRE-induced groups. A
prominent reduction in the severity of the neuroinflammatory response was detected when
coenzyme-Q10 was administered. Furthermore, the mean tissue weight of spleen to body ratio
in coenzyme Q10 supplemented group was significantly (P<0.05) different compared to unsupplemented
groups, and clearly indicated that coenzyme Q10 prevented full blown splenomegaly
pathogenesis by T. b. rhodesiense. A significant (P<0.05) increase in hemoglobin levels and red
blood cells was observed in coenzyme Q10 mice compared to those infected and un-supplemented
with coenzyme Q10. Conclusions: The capacity of coenzyme Q10 to alter the pathogenesis of T. b. rhodesiense infection
in mice and following treatment with melarsoprol, may find application by rendering humans and
animals less susceptible to deleterious effects of trypanosome infection such as splenomegaly and
melarsoprol-induced PTRE and neurotoxicity.
