Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
07:37
A Mouse Model of Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Elevation of Intraocular Pressure
Published on: July 14, 2016
15.2K
Coenzyme Q10 and Fish Oil Supplementation for Reducing Retinal Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model
Faisal Siddiqui1, Charles Cai2, Jacob V Aranda1,2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
Vision (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2023
Summary
Early Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation significantly reduced retinopathy of prematurity in rat pups exposed to intermittent hypoxia (IH). CoQ10 offered superior protection against IH-induced oxidative stress and retinopathy compared to fish oil.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Premature neonates requiring oxygen therapy often experience intermittent hypoxia (IH).
- IH episodes increase the risk of oxidative stress and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
- Early nutritional interventions are explored to mitigate IH-induced damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of early fish oil or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation against IH-induced retinopathy.
- To compare the efficacy of CoQ10 versus fish oil in reducing IH-related ocular damage.
Main Methods:
- Rat pups were exposed to two neonatal IH paradigms with recovery periods.
- Intervention groups received daily oral fish oil, CoQ10, or olive oil (vehicle) for 14 days.
- Retinal examinations were performed at postnatal days 14 and 21 to assess retinopathy and oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- Both IH paradigms induced severe retinopathy and oxidative stress in vehicle-treated pups.
- Early fish oil supplementation showed some benefits.
- CoQ10 supplementation provided superior protection, significantly reducing IH-induced oxidative stress and retinopathy, with lower retinal antioxidants and angiogenesis biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for preventing and treating retinopathy of prematurity caused by intermittent hypoxia (IH).
- CoQ10's protective effects involve reducing oxidative stress and modulating angiogenesis.
- Further research is necessary to determine optimal and safe dosages for preterm infants.
