Effects of aluminum chloride and coenzyme Q10 on the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the brain hippocampus cells

Abstract

Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is a neurotoxic substance, while coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is considered a lipid antioxidant. Herein, their effects on the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the hippocampus brain tissue were investigated. Three groups of Wistar albino male rats were used in this study. For four weeks, one group was kept as a control group; the second group was given AlCl₃; the third group was given AlCl₃/CoQ10. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and histopathological examinations were utilized to estimate alterations in the molecular structure of the lipids and the cell morphology, respectively. The FTIR spectra revealed considerable decreases in the CH contents and alterations in the molecular ratios of olefinicCH/ν_as(CH₃), ν_as(CH₂)/ν_as(CH₃), and ν_as(CH₂)/[ν_as(CH₂) + ν_s(CH₂)] in the group given AlCl₃. However, no significant changes were detected in those rats given AlCl₃/CoQ10. Histopathology images uncovered shrinking and dark centers in the pyramidal cells of brain tissue hippocampal cells. The diameters of the pyramidal cells were estimated to be 4.81 ± 0.55 μm, 4.04 ± 0.71 μm, and 4.63 ± 0.71 μm for the control, AlCl₃, and AlCl₃/CoQ10 groups, respectively. The study showed that the AlCl₃ could cause a shrinking of around 16% in the hippocampus pyramidal cells; besides, CoQ10 is a powerful therapeutic antioxidant to help restore the hippocampal neurons to a regular state.