Histopathological effects of topical coenzyme Q10 + vit E TPGS in experimental ischemic optic neuropathy

Purpose: We aimed to establish a model of mechanical optic nerve injury in rats and to investigate the neuroprotective effects of topical Coenzyme Q10 + Vitamin E TPGS on retinal ganglion cells. Materials-Methods: In this study, 30 eyes of 20 rats were used. The control, experimental and treatment groups, each consisting of 10 eyes, were formed into 3 groups. The control group was used to test the occurrence of optic nerve injury. Rats in the treatment group were administered topical CoQ10 + Vit E TPGS solution twice a day for 3 weeks. In the experimental group, saline drops were applied twice a day for 3 weeks. The optic nerves of the rats were dissected and histopathologically examined after three weeks. Results: Electron microscopic examination of the treatment group revealed that the majority of myelinated nerve fibers and mitochondria, neurotubules and neurofilaments in the myelin sheath and the normal structures were preserved. Oligodendrocytes were observed to have surrounded myelinated axons. Oligodendrocytes were generally found to maintain their normal fine structure. In the experimental group, significant degenerative changes were observed in myelinated nerve fibers in many areas. Heterochromatin increase in nuclei and vacuolization in cytoplasm was observed in oligodendrocytes. The number of myelinated axons was significantly increased in the treatment group compared to the experimental group (p = 0.0028 <0.05). Conclusions: The neuroprotective effect of CoQ10 + Vit E TPGS molecule used topically in the light of the data obtained was found to be histopathologically effective in our experimental study. Key words: Ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, neuroprotection, Coenzyme q10