Protective Effects of cAMP and Coenzyme Q Against Cisplatin-Induced Liver Injury

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and coenzyme Q (CoQ), administered individually or in combination, on the hepatic antioxidant defense system and oxidative damage markers in a cisplatin (Cis)-induced hepatotoxicity model.

Methods: Wistar albino rats bred at the Ondokuz Mayıs University Experimental Animal Research Center were divided into eight groups: control, Cis, CoQ, cAMP, CoQ+cAMP, Cis+CoQ, Cis+cAMP, and Cis+CoQ+cAMP. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the liver tissues obtained from experimental groups. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: Cis administration caused time-dependent fluctuations in SOD, CAT, and GPx activities, along with an increase in MDA levels. CoQ administration significantly reduced MDA levels at all time points and improved antioxidant enzyme activities. cAMP administration markedly decreased MDA levels, particularly in the early phase (4–12 h), and modulated SOD and CAT activities. The combined administration of cAMP and CoQ enhanced GPx activity in the late phase (24–48 h) and exerted the strongest suppression of MDA levels.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that cAMP is as effective as CoQ in attenuating cisplatin-induced oxidative stress. Both cAMP and CoQ exhibited hepatoprotective effects individually, while their combination produced a synergistic effect, achieving the highest degree of protection. These results may contribute to the development of novel pharmacological strategies to mitigate cisplatin-associated hepatotoxicity.