Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) administration is known to increase CoQ10 concentrations in the mitochondria of brain cells and facilitate the memory and learning processes in rats. This study aims to evaluate the effects of CoQ10 treatment on learning and memory in rats during childhood development.
METHODS
A total of 24 21-day-old pups were divided into 3 groups (8 pups in each group). A low dose of CoQ10 was administered via oral gavage once per day to one group, a high dose was administered to another group, and olive oil was administered to the control group. The cognitive and learning functions of rats in these groups were evaluated by the Morris water maze and probe tests.
RESULTS
Coenzyme Q10 administration continued for 10 days. At the end of the 37th day, the water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory performance. No difference was observed in the test results among the high-dose, low-dose and control groups during the 5 days of training in the watermaze test (p>0.05). Data from the probe trial indicated no statistically significant differences among rats that received high-dose CoQ10, low-dose CoQ10 or olive oil (control) (p=0.853)
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
In our study, it was determined that high-dose and low-dose CoQ10 administration during childhood does not have a significant effect on learning and memory functions.
Keywords: Coenzyme Q10, learning, memory, rat
