Styrene and ethylene glycol have a synergetic effect on lipid peroxidation that is better protected than repaired by CoQ10

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro 2005-08, Vol.19 (5), p.581-588
• Main Authors: Długosz, A, Sawicka, E, Marchewka, Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coenzymes; Drug Synergism; Ethylene Glycol - toxicity; Free Radicals; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Malondialdehyde - analysis; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondria - metabolism; Styrene - toxicity; Ubiquinone - analogs & derivatives; Ubiquinone - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0887-2333
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2005.03.005

Previous study of a group of 22 workers occupationally exposed to styrene, ethylene glycol and their mixture at a paint and lacquer industry indicated significantly elevated concentration of malondialdehyde with 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA+4-HNE) in the blood plasma, successfully decreased with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation. The aim of present study is to evaluate whether the exposure to styrene or/and ethylene glycol could be responsible for the increase in MDA level. The mechanism of a single solvent action and the mixture was examined, specially whether it is connected with hydroxyl radical (*OH) generation. It was also investigated whether coenzyme Q10 could be considered as a protective (given before the solvents) or repairing (given after the solvents) agent in oxidative stress caused by the solvents. The results indicate that ethylene glycol nor styrene increase MDA and *OH, but as a mixture give synergetic interaction, elevating MDA and *OH concentration to a statistically significant extent. Coenzyme Q10 at a dose of 3.0 microg/ml only protects, but does not repair increased lipid peroxidation caused by ethylene glycol with styrene. In order to obtain both a protective and repairing effect, a concentration of 12.0 microg/ml CoQ is needed.