investigation of the increase in the number of fibroblasts resulting from pulmonary fibrosis in offspring from pregnant rats poisoned by paraquat and protective effects of coenzyme q10

The lungs are one of the primary target organs in paraquat-induced toxicity in animal models and humans (1). pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by a replacement of alveolar region cellular composition with excessive collagen deposition (2). coenzyme q10 is recognized as an anti-oxidant inhibiting oxidative injuries to dna, lipids, and proteins (3). the present study determined the average number of interstitial lung fibroblasts in the infants of paraquat-treated pregnant rats and scrutinized possible protective effect of coenzyme q10 in paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis. the average number of interstitial lung fibroblasts significantly increased in paraquat-treated group, indicating that paraquat causes pulmonary fibrosis in infant rats whose mothers have been received paraquat during pregnancy. administration of coenzyme q10 along with paraquat could not modulate the pulmonary fibrotic effects of paraquat (during 16 days). the increase in the average number of fibroblasts on the 1st and 2nd days in the paraquat-administered group was higher than the subsequent days, suggesting that the fibrotic effects of paraquat in the lung are palliated over time. the results suggest that coenzyme q10 may need more than 16 days to exert the protective effect against lung fibrosis induced by paraquat.