A Comparative study on the protective role of Silymarin and Coenzyme-Q10 on the cerebellar cortex of experimentally induced atherosclerosis in adult male albino rats: A Histological, Immunohistochemical and Biochemical study

Background: Atherosclerosis is known as a serious cardiovascular condition that causes human mortality worldwide.Atherosclerosis is a significant progressive condition of inflammation.Atherosclerosis of the cerebellar arteries affects voice, balance and fine motor control.Coenzyme-Q10 vitamin soluble in fat that used for heart failure and angina treatment protocol.It has the potential to influence cellular bioenergetics, and counteract free radical damage.This has proven success in treating many neurodegenerative diseases.Silymarin is a flavonoid extract of the herb Silybum marianum.It has been reported as the gold medicine in liver disorders and evaluated recently as a neuroprotective.Objective: Comparison of potential neuroprotective effects of Co Q10 and Silymarin on adult male albino rats cerebellar cortex suffering from atherosclerosis.Materials and Methods: Sixty adult male albino rats were divided randomly into equal four classes: Group I (control group) subdivided into three subgroups: Subgroup IA: provided ordinary diet.Subgroup IB (Co enzyme Q10 treated): obtained ordinary diet and co-enzyme Q10 Subgroup IC (Silymarin treated): obtained ordinary diet and Silymarin.Group II (atherosclerotic group), Group III (atherosclerotic Co Q10 treated group) and Group IV (atherosclerotic Silymarin treated group).After three months, lipid profile was assessed in blood samples taken from all classes.Cerebellar cortices were processed for histological, biochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies.Results: Atherosclerotic rats showed loss and disruption of Purkinje cell layer with pyknotic nuclei, dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, prominent perineural spaces and spongiosis of granular and molecular layers.Significant increase in GFAP, Cox-2 immunoreactivity was also found.However, concomitant administration of Co Q10 or Silymarin had ameliorating effect on these changes.Conclusion: Co Q10 or Silymarin supplementation had a neurological protective role in atherosclerosis.Silymarin may be the ideal neuroprotective agent and new approach for reduction of many neurological diseases in high risk population.