Coenzyme Q10 protects skeletal muscle from ischemia-reperfusion through the NF-kappa B pathway

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CoQ10 on the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) of skeletal muscle.

For ischemia induction, the animals were anesthetized and the external iliac vessels blocked for three hours. CoQ10 or vehicle was given intraperitoneally during ischemia, just before reperfusion. Four groups received 3,7,14 and 28 days' reperfusion, respectively, after the intraperitoneal injection of CoQ10 and four corresponding groups received vehicle only. After reperfusion, the gastrocnemius muscles were removed, fixed and stained for the analysis of edema and mast cell infiltration.

Immuno-histochemistry staining was performed for the detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and NF-κB. CoQ10-treated groups showed a significant decrease of mast cell infiltration in the gastrocnemius muscle and edema as compared with the corresponding non-treated groups. Also, CoQ10-treated groups showed a significant TNF-α and NF-κB expression decrease when compared to the corresponding non-treated controls. The results of this study showed CoQ10 administration with ischemia decreased interstitial edema, degeneration of muscle fibers and infiltration of mast cells.

It seems that CoQ10 has inhibitory effects on NF-κB and TNF-α activation.