Effect of coenzyme CoQ10 on expression of apolipoprotein E in brain damage induced by multiple exposure to sevoflurane in mice

Objective To evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 on the expression of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in brain damage induced by multiple exposure to sevoflurane in mice. Methods Seventy-two SPF female C57BL/6J mice, aged 6 days, weighing 3-5 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=18 each) according to a random number table method: corn oil group (CO), sevoflurane plus corn oil group (SO group), coenzyme Q10 group (CQ group), and sevoflurane plus coenzyme Q10 group (SQ group). Mice were placed in a closed resin box with an inlet and outlet, 3% sevoflurane plus 60% oxygen plus 37% air was continuously delivered to the box at 2 h/d for 3 consecutive days in SO group and SQ group.The mice were placed in the same resin box, and 60% oxygen plus 40% air was delivered in CO group and CQ group.Corn oil 100 μl was intraperitoneally injected, and 30 min later oxygen and sevoflurane were inhaled in CO group and SO group, respectively.CoQ10 (dissolved in corn oil, concentration 1.5 μg/μl) 50 μg/g was intraperitoneally injected, and 30 min later oxygen and sevoflurane were inhaled in CQ group and SQ group, respectively.Eight mice were sacrificed after emerging from anesthesia, and hippocampi were removed for determination of the expression of ApoE, Tau protein, AT8 and PHF1 (by Western blot). The rest 10 mice were used for Morris Water Maze test to evaluate the cognitive function on 22 days after establishing the model. Results Compared with CO group, the expression of ApoE, AT8 and PHF1 was significantly up-regulated, the escape latency was prolonged, and the number of crossing the platform was decreased in SO group (P 0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which coenzyme Q10 reduces brain damage induced by multiple exposure to sevoflurane is related to inhibiting the up-regulation of ApoE expression in hippocampus of mice. Key words: Coenzyme Q10; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Cognitive impairment; Apolipoprotein E