LAUSR

Propionic acid (PRA) is used as a food preservative. This study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of acetyl‐l‐carnitine (ALC) and nano‐Coenzyme Q (N‐CoQ) on brain intoxication induced by PRA in rats. Rats were divided into five groups: group I: control; group II: received PRA; group III: received ALC; group IV: received N‐CoQ; and group V: received ALC and N‐CoQ for 5 days. The antioxidants in question markedly ameliorated serum interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α, and brain NO, lipid peroxide, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase levels as well as protein expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and P‐cyclic‐AMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) that were altered by a toxic dose of PRA, as well as histopathological alterations, including improvement of the cerebellum architecture. Interestingly, the combination therapy of ALC and N‐CoQ achieved the most neuroprotective effect compared with monotherapies. The current study established that N‐CoQ is considered as a useful tool to prevent brain injury induced by PRA. BDNF and CREB proteins are involved in both PRA neurotoxicity and treatment.