Korean J Intern Med.  2021 Jul;36(4):949-961. 10.3904/kjim.2020.211.

Water-soluble coenzyme Q10 provides better protection than lipid-soluble coenzyme Q10 in a rat model of chronic tacrolimus nephropathy

Affiliations
  • 1Transplant Research Center, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 3Advanced Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Integrative Research Support Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 5Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 6Abtis Co. Ltd, Suwon, Korea
  • 7School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
  • 8College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea

Abstract

Background/Aims
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), is a promising antioxidant; however, low bioavailability owing to lipid-solubility is a limiting factor. We developed water-soluble CoQ10 (CoQ10-W) and compared its effects with conventional lipid-soluble CoQ10 (CoQ10-L) in an experimental model of chronic tacrolimus (Tac) nephropathy.
Methods
CoQ10-W was developed from a glycyrrhizic-carnitine mixed layer CoQ10 micelle based on acyltransferases. Chronic nephropathy was induced in rats with 28-day Tac treatment; they were concomitantly treated with CoQ10-L or CoQ10-W. CoQ10 level in plasma and kidney were measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. CoQ10-W and CoQ10-L effects on Tac-induced nephropathy were assessed in terms of renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Their effects on cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed in cultured proximal tubular cells, human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells.
Results
The plasma CoQ10 level was significantly higher in the CoQ10-W group than in the CoQ10-L group. Tac treatment caused renal dysfunction, typical pathologic lesions, and oxidative stress markers. Serum creatinine was restored in the Tac + CoQ10-L or CoQ10-W groups compared with that in the Tac group. CoQ10-W administration reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis markers. Mitochondrial ultrastructure assessment revealed that the addition of CoQ10-L or CoQ10-W with Tac increased mitochondrial size and number than Tac treatment alone. In vitro investigations revealed that both CoQ10-L and CoQ10-W improved cell viability and reduced ROS production in the Tac-induced HK-2 cell injury.
Conclusions
CoQ10-W has a better therapeutic effect in Tac-induced renal injury than conventional CoQ10-L, possibly associated with improved CoQ10 bioavailability

Keyword

Tacrolimus; Coenzyme Q10; Water-soluble coenzyme Q10; Kidney; Oxidative stress
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