The effect of coenzyme Q10 on venous ischemia reperfusion injury

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid-soluble benzoquinone with antioxidant features that make it important in the treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effect of CoQ10 in the treatment of venous ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Eighteen Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into two equal groups: the control group and an experimental group (n = 9 rats). The experimental group received CoQ10 orally, and the control group received a control diet for 8 wk. An inferior epigastric island flap was raised, and the inferior epigastric vein was clamped for 9 h; the flap was then reperfused. All rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 5. The flap survival rate and levels of CoQ10, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were assessed, and flap tissues were examined under a light microscope (×200 magnification) after being stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin.

The flap survival rate and levels of CoQ10, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were significantly higher, but level of malondialdehyde was lower in the experimental group. The mean flap survival rates and plasma levels of CoQ10 were 51% ± 24% and 251 ± 11 ng/mL in the control group, whereas they were 88% ± 7% and 692.8 ± 79.7 ng/mL in the experimental group with statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). Polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration was higher, and surface epithelial integrity was more impaired in the control group.

We concluded that CoQ10 supplementation has a beneficial effect on venous ischemia and/or reperfusion injury and improves flap survival rate.