Protective effect of taurine and coenzyme Q10 against azathioprine toxicity in albino rats

Azathioprine (AZA) is widely used as an immunosuppressive and anticancer drug, but exhibits hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Taurine (Tau) and Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10) possess potent antioxidant properties. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the protective effects of Tau, CoQ10, or their combination against AZA‑induced toxicity. Forty male albino rats were divided into eight groups negative control, CoQ10 (4 mg/kg; IP), Tau (100 mg/kg; orally), AZA (12.5 mg/kg; orally) and combined groups (AZA+ CoQ10; AZA+ Tau; AZA+CoQ10+Tau). Our results demonstrated that the administration of Tau or CoQ10 with AZA attenuated hematotoxicity, as evidenced by the partially restoration of RBCs count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value. Furthermore Tau or/and CoQ10 improved humoral and cellular immunity by preventing the decrease in hemagglutination titer, quantitative hemolysis of SRBCs, enhancing spleen cell proliferation, and protecting splenic cell populations. Moreover, Tau or/and CoQ10 with AZA reduced oxidative stress by restoring antioxidant markers and improving liver and kidner functions compared with AZA. In conclusion, Tau or/ and CoQ10 reduced AZA induced toxicity. Notably, the combined treatment (Tau+CoQ10) was more effective to mend AZA‑induced hematotoxicity and immunotoxicity compared to the examined mono-treatments.