Antihypoxic Activities of Coenzyme Q and Folic Acid in Asphyctic, Hemic, and Circulatory Hypoxia Models in Mice

Abstract

Background and purpose: Hypoxia is a decrease in oxygen levels of body tissues which can lead to body function impairment. Coenzyme Q and folic acid are well-known drugs with distinctive antioxidant and anti-ischemic activities, but, nothing is known about antihypoxic activities of these compounds. The current study investigated the antihypoxic activities of Coenzyme Q and folic acid in three experimental models of hypoxia; asphyctic, circulatory, and hemic. Materials and methods: Protective effects of coenzyme Q at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg and folic acid at 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg against hypoxia-induced lethality in mice were evaluated by increase in the survival time in asphyctic hypoxia, haemic hypoxia, and circulatory hypoxia models against negative control (normal saline) and positive control (propranolol 30 mg/kg). Analysis of variance was performed followed by Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test to determine the differences between means. Results: Coenzyme Q at 25 mg/kg, in asphyctic and circulating models, showed activities similar to those of propranolol in increasing the survival time (P>0.05). Folic acid at 10 mg/kg, in hemic and circulating models, exhibited activities similar to those of propranolol in increasing the survival time (P>0.05). Conclusion: Coenzyme Q and folic acid showed good protective effects by increasing the survival time against hypoxia in all models. The effects were dominant, especially in asphyctic and circulating models for coenzyme Q and in hemic and circulating models for folic acid which led to prolonged survival times. These drugs seem to have a good potential in treatment of hypoxic conditions.

Keywords

• asphyctic hypoxia
• hemic hypoxia
• circulatory hypoxia
• coenzyme q
• folic acid