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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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Extremely low gestational-age neonates requiring supplemental oxygen experience intermittent hypoxia (IH) episodes, which predispose them to oxidative stress and retinopathy of prematurity. We tested the hypothesis that early supplementation with fish oil or CoQ10 confers benefits reducing the severity of IH-induced retinopathy. At birth, rat pups were exposed to two clinically relevant neonatal IH paradigms with recovery in either hyperoxia (50% O2) or room air (RA) between episodes for 14 days, during which they received daily oral fish oil, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in olive oil (OO), or OO only (vehicle). At postnatal day 14 (P14), pups were allowed to recover in RA with no further treatment until P21. Retinas were examined at P14 and at P21. Both IH paradigms resulted in severe ocular oxidative stress and retinopathy regardless of recovery in hyperoxia or RA in the vehicle groups. Although early supplementation with fish oil was beneficial, CoQ10 provided superior benefits for reducing IH-induced oxidative stress and retinopathy. These effects were associated with lower retinal antioxidants and biomarkers of angiogenesis. The therapeutic benefits of CoQ10 suggest a potential treatment for IH-induced retinopathies. Further studies are needed to establish appropriate, safe, and effective doses for use in preterm infants.
