Lack of anti-inflammatory effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in the liver of rodents after lipopolysaccharide challenge

Abstract

Summary Background & aims Sepsis is characterized by a systemic dysregulated inflammatory response and oxidative stress. A large body of evidence supports a key role of mitochondrial dysfunction during the various phases of sepsis (early and late-phase of sepsis-associated multiorgan failure). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a key cofactor in the mitochondrial and respiratory chain, and is depleted in septic shock patients. However its effect on acute sepsis remains unexplored. The reduced form of CoQ10 (Qx) has been shown to lessen pro-inflammatory response in macrophages or fibroblasts in culture. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of Qx on hepatic inflammation in models of acute LPS-induced inflammation. Methods We have conducted 2 experiments: one in vitro using rat precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) incubated with LPS and Qx, and one in vivo experiment using mice fed with Qx for 2 weeks and killed 1 h after LPS administration. Results LPS challenge induced hepatic inflammatory stress both in vitro and in vivo (increased TNFα, nitrite and PGE2 release and/or expression). Incubation of PCLS with Qx fails to modulate hepatic inflammatory stress. Furthermore, Qx supplementation is not able to counteract hepatic LPS-induced acute inflammation in vivo. Conclusion Coenzyme Q10 is not able to counteract LPS-induced hepatic acute inflammation.