Abstract:
Objective: Determining the synergistic effect of Coenzyme Q10 & L-Carnitine on Oligodendrocyte necrosis and
Myelination, in a rat model of Multiple sclerosis.
Study Design: Laboratory based experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Islamic International
Medical College Rawalpindi, Pakistan from March 2022 to May 2022 in collaboration with NIH Islamabad, for a
duration of 12 weeks.
Methods: A total of fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five randomized groups, each with a
distinct treatment plan. While Group 1 received a standard diet, the remaining four groups were induced with
Multiple Sclerosis and administered 0.2% Cuprizone (CPZ) over a period of 12 weeks. After four weeks, Group 3
was given 150 mg/kg/day of Coenzyme Q10/Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Group 4 received 100 mg/kg/day of LCarnitine
(L-Car), and Group 5 was treated with a combination of both, all while still receiving CPZ. Upon
completion of the 12-week protocol, the rats were sacrificed, and their brains were extracted. H & E staining
was performed on coronal sections to assess any changes in oligodendrocyte necrosis, while Luxol Fast Blue
(LFB) staining was utilized to visualize alterations in myelination.
Results: The combination of CoQ10 and L-Car was significantly better than the single agents in controlling the
oligodendrocyte necrosis and controlling vacuolation of myelin, as evidenced by ANOVA and F-test.
Conclusion: This study has unequivocally demonstrated that taking CoQ10 and L-Car together has a greater
effect on promoting myelination and preventing oligodendrocyte necrosis compared to using them
individually. Therefore, it is highly recommended to prescribe both medications simultaneously for those with
multiple sclerosis, as it can potentially provide greater advantages for patients.
