The Cardioprotective Effect of Metformin and Coenzyme Q10 Combination in Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a significant complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus, in which a set of structural and functional cardiac changes is observed. Metformin (MET) is a popular agent in glycemic control that has antioxidant capabilities, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a known antioxidant in mitochondria that hastens cardiac bioenergetics. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups that included control group, diabetic not treated, MET treated, CoQ10 treated, and MET CoQ10 treated. A high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) injection induced type 2 diabetes. After eight weeks Electrocardiography (ECG), body and heart weight, glycemic state, lipids profile, oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, cardiac enzyme assays, connexin expression pattern, histopathology and TUNEL test apoptosis were assessed. Results: Diabetic rats demonstrated ECG anomalies, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, elevated cardiac enzymes, histopathological disruption, decreased connexin-43 expression, and elevated apoptosis. Combined MET + CoQ10 treatment restored ECG, glycemic and lipid profiles, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, cardiac enzymes, histological architecture, connexin levels, and apoptosis better than MET or CoQ10 monotherapy. Conclusion: The study concluded that both MET and CoQ10 have synergistic cardioprotective effects against diabetic rats because they address hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. This combination can be a potent biological solution approach in preventing or mitigating against diabetic heart disease.