Association of coenzyme Q10 administration with surgical treatment for brain injuries resulting from experimental hydrocephalus

• Grant number: 24/12769-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Luiza da Silva Lopes
• Grantee: Beatriz Galante Franco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hydrocephalus can cause serious neurological problems, many of them resulting from neuroinflammation. As some factors can postpone CSF shunt surgery, non-surgical interventions may be a good neuroprotective strategy. Recent research reveals effects of coenzyme Q10 in reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Our hypothesis is that this coenzyme may also be beneficial in controlling inflammation and repairing injuries in the brain affected by hydrocephalus. The aim is, therefore, to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in young hydrocephalic rats, treated or not with CSF diversion. Fifty 7-day-old Wistar Hannover rats will be used, divided into five experimental groups, for 21 days from the induction of hydrocephalus (control; untreated hydrocephalic; hydrocephalic treated with shunt and drug vehicle; hydrocephalic treated with coenzyme Q10; hydrocephalic treated with shunt and coenzyme Q10). Hydrocephalus will be induced through intracisternal injection of kaolin and, seven days later, the animals will be evaluated by transcranial ultrasound to confirm ventriculomegaly. Rats in the operated groups will receive ventricle-subcutaneous shunt, and treatment with coenzyme Q10 will be started. In the last week of the experiment, the animals will undergo behavioral tests (Open Field and Active Avoidance Test). After euthanasia and brain collection, cortical neuronal cytoarchitecture, white matter myelination and corpus callosum thickness (histology) will be evaluated; as well as astrocytic reactivity and cell proliferation in the germinal matrix (immunohistochemistry) will be assessed, and reactive oxygen species and total antioxidants quantified.