Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Radiation Nephropathy in Rats

Coenzyme Q10-Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles Protect against Redox Imbalance and Inflammatory, Apoptotic, and Histopathological Alterations in Mercuric Chloride-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats

Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl2), either accidental or occupational, induces substantial liver and kidney damage. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. Herein, our study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of CoQ10 alone or loaded with albumin nanoparticles (CoQ10NPs) against HgCl2-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Experimental animals received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/oral) or CoQ10NPs (10 mg/kg/oral) and were injected intraperitoneally with HgCl2 (5 mg/kg; three times/week) for two weeks. The results indicated that CoQ10NP pretreatment caused a significant decrease in serum liver and kidney function markers. Moreover, lowered MDA and NO levels were associated with an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, GR, and CAT), along with higher GSH contents, in both the liver and kidneys of intoxicated rats treated with CoQ10NPs. Moreover, HgCl2-intoxicated rats that received CoQ10NPs revealed a significant reduction in the hepatorenal levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, and TGF-β, as well as an increase in the hepatic level of the fibrotic marker (α-SMA). Notably, CoQ10NPs counteracted hepatorenal apoptosis by diminishing the levels of Bax and caspase-3 and boosting the level of Bcl-2. The hepatic and renal histopathological findings supported the abovementioned changes. In conclusion, these data suggest that CoQ10, alone or loaded with albumin nanoparticles, has great power in reversing the hepatic and renal tissue impairment induced by HgCl2 via the modulation of hepatorenal oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis. Therefore, this study provides a valuable therapeutic agent (CoQ10NPs) for preventing and treating several HgCl2-induced hepatorenal disorders.

Tissue fibrosis induced by radiotherapy: current understanding of the molecular mechanisms, diagnosis and therapeutic advances

Cancer remains the leading cause of death around the world. In cancer treatment, over 50% of cancer patients receive radiotherapy alone or in multimodal combinations with other therapies. One of the adverse consequences after radiation exposure is the occurrence of radiation-induced tissue fibrosis (RIF), which is characterized by the abnormal activation of myofibroblasts and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. This phenotype can manifest in multiple organs, such as lung, skin, liver and kidney. In-depth studies on the mechanisms of radiation-induced fibrosis have shown that a variety of extracellular signals such as immune cells and abnormal release of cytokines, and intracellular signals such as cGAS/STING, oxidative stress response, metabolic reprogramming and proteasome pathway activation are involved in the activation of myofibroblasts. Tissue fibrosis is extremely harmful to patients' health and requires early diagnosis. In addition to traditional serum markers, histologic and imaging tests, the diagnostic potential of nuclear medicine techniques is emerging. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapies are the traditional treatments for radiation-induced fibrosis. Recently, some promising therapeutic strategies have emerged, such as stem cell therapy and targeted therapies. However, incomplete knowledge of the mechanisms hinders the treatment of this disease. Here, we also highlight the potential mechanistic, diagnostic and therapeutic directions of radiation-induced fibrosis.

Mitochondrial metabolism: a predictive biomarker of radiotherapy efficacy and toxicity

INTRODUCTION

Radiotherapy is a mainstay of cancer treatment. Clinical studies revealed a heterogenous response to radiotherapy, from a complete response to even disease progression. To that end, finding the relative prognostic factors of disease outcomes and predictive factors of treatment efficacy and toxicity is essential. It has been demonstrated that radiation response depends on DNA damage response, cell cycle phase, oxygen concentration, and growth rate. Emerging evidence suggests that altered mitochondrial metabolism is associated with radioresistance.

METHODS

This article provides a comprehensive evaluation of the role of mitochondria in radiotherapy efficacy and toxicity. In addition, it demonstrates how mitochondria might be involved in the famous 6Rs of radiobiology.

RESULTS

In terms of this idea, decreasing the mitochondrial metabolism of cancer cells may increase radiation response, and enhancing the mitochondrial metabolism of normal cells may reduce radiation toxicity. Enhancing the normal cells (including immune cells) mitochondrial metabolism can potentially improve the tumor response by enhancing immune reactivation. Future studies are invited to examine the impacts of mitochondrial metabolism on radiation efficacy and toxicity. Improving radiotherapy response with diminishing cancer cells' mitochondrial metabolism, and reducing radiotherapy toxicity with enhancing normal cells' mitochondrial metabolism.

Vinpocetine and coenzyme Q10 combination alleviates cognitive impairment caused by ionizing radiation by improving mitophagy

OBJECTIVE

This research was designed to ascertain the effect and mechanism of vinpocetine (VIN) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) combination on cognitive impairment induced by ionizing radiation (IR).

METHODS

Cognitive impairment in mice was induced by 9-Gy IR, and they were intraperitoneally injected with VIN, CoQ10, or VIN + CoQ10. Then novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests were used to detect cognitive function. The number of hippocampal neurons and BrdU⁺Dcx⁺ cells was observed by Nissl and immunofluorescence staining. Mitochondrial respiratory complex I, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated, as well as oxidative stress injury. Mitophagy in hippocampal neurons was evaluated by observing the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons and assessing the expression of mitophagy-related proteins.

RESULTS

IR reduced novel object discrimination index, the time for platform crossing, and the time spent in platform quadrant, in addition to neuron loss, downregulated levels of mitochondrial respiratory complex I, ATP, and MMP, aggravated oxidative stress injury, increased expression of LC3 II/I, Beclin1, PINK1, and parkin, and decreased P62 expression. VIN or CoQ10 treatment mitigated cognitive dysfunction, neurons loss, mitochondrial damage, and oxidative stress injury, and enhanced mitophagy in hippocampal neurons. VIN and CoQ10 combination further protected against IR-induced cognitive dysfunction than VIN or CoQ10 alone.

CONCLUSION

VIN combined with CoQ10 improved neuron damage, promoted mitophagy, and ameliorated cognitive impairment in IR mice.

Pharmacological Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Kidney Injury Induced by Radiotherapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives

More than half of cancer patients need radiotherapy during the course of their treatment. Despite the beneficial aspects, the destructive effects of radiation beams on normal tissues lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell injury. Kidneys are affected during radiotherapy of abdominal malignancies. Radiation nephropathy eventually leads to the release of factors triggering systemic inflammation. Currently, there is no proven prophylactic or therapeutic intervention for the management of radiation-induced nephropathy. This article reviews the biomarkers involved in the pathophysiology of radiation-induced nephropathy and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The efficacy of compounds with potential radio-protective properties on amelioration of inflammation and oxidative stress is also discussed. By outlining the approaches for preventing and treating this critical side effect, we evaluate the potential treatment of radiation-induced nephropathy. Available preclinical and clinical studies on these compounds are also scrutinized.

Coenzyme Q10 attenuates inflammation and fibrosis implicated in radiation enteropathy through suppression of NF-kB/TGF-β/MMP-9 pathways

Radiation enteropathy is one the most common clinical issue for patients receiving radiotherapy for abdominal/pelvic tumors which severely affect the quality of life of cancer patients due to dysplastic lesions (ischemia, ulcer, or fibrosis) that aggravate the radiation damage. Herein, this study demonstrated the prophylactic role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a powerful antioxidant, against radiotherapy-induced gastrointestinal injury. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: group 1 was defined as control, and group 2 was the irradiated group. Group 3 and 4 were CoQ10 control and radiation plus CoQ10 groups, respectively. CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) was orally administered for 10 days before 10 Gy whole-body radiation and was continued for 4 days post-irradiation. CoQ10 administration protected rats delivered a lethal dose of ϒ-radiation from changes in crypt-villus structures and promoted regeneration of the intestinal epithelium. CoQ10 attenuated radiation-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing the antioxidant enzyme catalase activity and reduced glutathione level. CoQ10 also counteracts inflammatory response mediated after radiation exposure through downregulating intestinal NF-ĸB expression which subsequently decreased the level of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the expression of COX-2. Radiation-induced intestinal fibrosis confirmed via Masson's trichrome staining occurred through upregulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression, while CoQ10 administration significantly diminishes these effects which further confirmed the anti-fibrotic property of CoQ10. Therefore, CoQ10 is a promising radioprotector that could prevent intestinal complications and enhance the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy in patients with pelvic tumors through suppressing the NF-kB/TGF-β1/MMP-9 signaling pathway.

Combined Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields and X-Ray in Renal Tissue and Function

PURPOSE

Biochemical and histopathological properties of renal tissues were reported to be affected by both radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and ionizing radiation. The radiation-induced changes in the kidney, including the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), could lead to adverse health outcomes such as chronic kidney disease. These complications signify the importance of the research in this field. Thus, in this study, the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, as well as their combination, were assessed by evaluating the alteration in BUN, Cr, and histopathological changes in kidney tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and were exposed to either 900/1800MHz (mobile phone) or 2.4 GHz RF-EMF (Wi-Fi) radiation for 14 days, 8Gy x-ray, or their combination. Sera were collected from 2 mL of rat blood, then BUN and Cr levels were determined. Also, renal samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and evaluated histopathologically.

RESULTS

Both BUN and Cr levels raised non-significantly after exposure to 8 Gy x-rays. Moreover, all measurements in the samples of x-ray groups were in borderline or higher than normal values. The BUN levels of control, Wi-Fi, x-ray, and Wi-Fi+x-ray groups were not significantly different. However, Cr levels in the Wi-Fi group were significantly higher than those of the controls, and BUN to Cr ratio levels were significantly lower than those of the controls. Also, tubular atrophy and vessel wall thickening were associated with these exposures.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to 900/1800MHz, 2400 MHz EMF can alter the kidney function. However, pre-exposure to 900/1800MHz EMF could modulate the acute adverse effects of lethal x-ray dose, which addresses the adaptive response in the kidney.

Abdel Moneim, El-Khadragy MF. Coenzyme Q10 Activates the Antioxidant Machinery and Inhibits the Inflammatory and Apoptotic Cascades Against Lead Acetate-Induced Renal Injury in Rats

The kidney is among the metabolic organs most susceptible to injury, particularly following exposure to xenobiotics and heavy metals. We aimed to explore the potential protective impacts of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on lead acetate (PbAc)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Four experimental groups (n = 7) were applied as follows: control group, CoQ10 alone (10 mg/kg), PbAc alone (20 mg/kg), and PbAc with CoQ10. Exposure to PbAc led to the accumulation of Pb in the kidney and increased urea and creatinine serum levels. The deposition of Pb coupled with the elevation of malondialdehyde and nitrate/nitrite levels along with the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Additionally, upon PbAc poisoning, glutathione content and the antioxidant enzymes were depleted along with the downregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Moreover, PbAc injection increased the protein and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines namely, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta, while decreased the levels of interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in the kidney. Furthermore, exposure to PbAc correlated with increased levels of pro-apoptotic markers, Bax and caspase-3, and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2. The administration of CoQ10 alleviated the molecular, biochemical and histological changes following PbAc intoxication. Thus, CoQ10 reduces the deleterious cellular side effects of PbAc exposure due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

Evaluating the protective effect of resveratrol, Q10, and alpha-lipoic acid on radiation-induced mice spermatogenesis injury: A histopathological study

Background

Testis is one of the most sensitive organs against the toxic effect of ionizing radiation. Exposure to even a low dose of radiation during radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology, or a radiological event could pose a threat to spermatogenesis. This may lead to temporary or permanent infertility or even transfer of genomic instability to the next generations.

Objective

In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of treatment with three natural antioxidants; resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10 on radiation-induced spermatogenesis injury.

Materials and Methods

30 NMRI mice (6-8 wk, 30 ± 5 gr) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5/each) as 1) control; 2) radiation; 3) radiation + resveratrol; 4) radiation + alpha lipoic acid; 5) radiation + resveratrol + alpha lipoic acid; and 6) radiation+ Q10. Mice were treated with 100 mg/kg resveratrol or 200 mg/kg alpha lipoic acid or a combination of these drugs. Also, Q10 was administered at 200 mg/kg. All treatments were performed daily from two days before to 30 min before irradiation. Afterward, mice were exposed to 2 Gy 60 Co gamma rays; 37 days after irradiation, the testicular samples were collected and evaluated for histopathological parameters.

Results

Results showed that these agents are able to alleviate some toxicological parameters such as basal lamina and epididymis decreased sperm density. Also, all agents were able to increase Johnsen score. However, they could not protect against radiation-induced edema, atrophy of seminiferous tubules, and hyperplasia in Leydig cells.

Conclusion

This study indicates that resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, and Q10 have the potential to reduce some of the side effects of radiation on mice spermatogenesis. However, they cannot protect Leydig cells as a source of testosterone and seminiferous tubules as the location of sperm maturation.

Coenzyme Q10 mitigates ionizing radiation-induced testicular damage in rats through inhibition of oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death

Radiotherapy is a common treatment modality for cancer patients; however, its use is limited by decreasing the probability of fertility in male cancer survivors. Therefore, this study aimed to define the capability of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potent stimulator of mitochondrial function, in attenuating ionizing radiation (IR)-induced spermatogenesis impairments. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a single dose of ϒ-rays (10 Gy) and/or treated with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, orally, for 2 consecutive weeks). IR mediated irregular seminiferous tubules, which were emerged with typical morphological characteristics of apoptosis, and nuclear condensation, while CoQ10 significantly preserved the testicular structure and maintained spermatogenesis, which was displayed by higher levels of serum estradiol and testosterone. CoQ10 remarkably augmented sperm count, motility, and viability while diminished the rate of sperm-defects relatively to their counterparts after IR exposure. CoQ10 modulations in reproductive parameters were underpinned by attenuating IR-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase activities, and glutathione level. Supporting the involvement of CoQ10 in the anti-apoptotic response, the reduced mRNA expression levels of p53, Puma, and Bax accompanied by the increased Bcl-2 mRNA expression were observed. Subsequently, CoQ10 ameliorated the mitochondria dependent apoptotic pathway through diminishing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 protein expression, and DNA fragmentation in testes of irradiated rats. Taken together, our findings showed that CoQ10 conserved against IR-induced steroidogenesis disruption through subsiding mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress injury in germinal cells.

Ubiquinol Supplementation Alters Exercise Induced Fatigue by Increasing Lipid Utilization in Mice

Ubiquinol (QH), a reduced form of coenzyme Q10, is a lipid antioxidant that is hydro-soluble and is commonly formulated in commercial supplements. Ubiquinol has been increasingly reported to exert antioxidant functions, in addition to its role in the cell energy-producing system of mitochondria and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The aim of this study was to assess the potential beneficial effects of QH on anti-fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Forty 8-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups (n = 10 for each group): Group 1 (vehicle control or oil only); Group 2 (1X QH dose or 102.5 mg/kg); Group 3 (2X QH dose or 205 mg/kg); Group 4 (6X QH dose or 615 mg/kg). Anti-fatigue activity and exercise performance were studied using the forelimb grip strength experiment and exhaustive weight-loaded swimming time, and levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatine kinase (CK), and free fatty acids (FFA) after an acute exercise challenge. The forelimb grip strength and exhaustive weight-loaded swimming time of the QH-6X group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. QH supplementation dose-dependently reduced serum lactate, ammonia, and CK levels and increased the FFA concentration after acute exercise. In addition, QH increased the liver and muscle glycogen content, an important energy source during exercise. Therefore, the results suggest that QH formulation is a safe dietary supplement for amelioration of fatigue and for promoting exercise performance.

Mitochondrial adaptation in human mesenchymal stem cells following ionizing radiation

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that respond rapidly to a number of stressors to regulate energy transduction, cell death signaling, and reactive oxygen species generation. We hypothesized that mitochondrial remodeling, comprising both structural and functional alterations, following ionizing radiation (IR) may underlie some of the tenets of radiobiology. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are precursors of bone marrow stroma and are altered in acute myeloid leukemia and by radiation and chemotherapy. Here, we report on changes in mitochondrial remodeling in human MSCs following X-ray IR. Mitochondrial function was significantly increased in MSCs  4 h after IR as measured by mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Consistent with this elevated functional effect, electron transport chain supercomplexes were also increased in irradiated samples. In addition, mitochondria were significantly, albeit modestly, elongated, as measured by high-throughput automated confocal imaging coupled with automated mitochondrial morphometric analyses. We also demonstrate in fibroblasts that mitochondrial remodeling is required for the adaptation of cells to IR. To determine novel mechanisms involved in mitochondrial remodeling, we performed quantitative proteomics on isolated mitochondria from cells following IR. Label-free quantitative mitochondrial proteomics revealed notable changes in proteins in irradiated samples and identified prosaposin, and potentially its daughter protein saposin-B, as a potential candidate for regulating mitochondrial function following IR. Whereas research into the biologic effects of cellular irradiation has long focused on nuclear DNA effects, our experimental work, along with that of others, is finding that mitochondrial effects may have broader implications in the field of stress adaptation and cell death in cancer (including leukemia) and other disease states.-Patten, D. A., Ouellet, M., Allan, D. S., Germain, M., Baird, S. D., Harper, M.-E., Richardson, R. B. Mitochondrial adaptation in human mesenchymal stem cells following ionizing radiation.

Optical Metabolic Imaging for Assessment of Radiation-Induced Injury to Rat Kidney and Mitigation by Lisinopril

The kidney is one of the most radiosensitive organs; it is the primary dose-limiting organ in radiotherapies for upper abdominal cancers. The role of mitochondrial redox state in the development and treatment of renal radiation injury, however, remains ill-defined. This study utilizes 3D optical cryo-imaging to quantify renal mitochondrial bioenergetics dysfunction after 13 Gy leg-out partial body irradiation (PBI). Furthermore, the mitigating effects of lisinopril (lisino), an anti-hypertensive angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, is assessed in renal radiation-induced injuries. Around day 150 post-irradiation, kidneys are harvested for cryo-imaging. The 3D images of the metabolic indices (NADH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and FAD, flavin adenine dinucleotide) are acquired, and the mitochondrial redox states of the irradiated and irradiated + lisino kidneys are quantified by calculating the volumetric mean redox ratio (NADH/FAD). PBI oxidized renal mitochondrial redox state by 78%. The kidneys from the irradiated + lisino rats showed mitigation of mitochondrial redox state by 93% compared to the PBI group. The study provides evidence for an altered bioenergetics and energy metabolism in the rat model of irradiation-induced kidney damage. In addition, the results suggest that lisinopril mitigates irradiation damage by attenuating the oxidation of mitochondria leading to increase redox ratio.

Renal and hepatic effects following neonatal exposure to low doses of Bisphenol-A and 137Cs

137-Cesium (¹³⁷Cs) is one of the most important distributed radionuclides after a nuclear accident. Humans are usually co-exposed to various environmental toxicants, being Bisphenol-A (BPA) one of them. Exposure to IR and BPA in early life is of major concern, due to the higher vulnerability of developing organs. We evaluate the renal and hepatic effects of low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) and BPA. Sixty male mice (C57BL/6J) were randomly assigned to six experimental groups (n=10) and received a single subcutaneous dose of 0.9% saline solution, ¹³⁷Cs and/or BPA on postnatal day 10: control, BPA (25 μg/kgbw), Cs4000 (4000 Bq ¹³⁷Cs/kgbw), Cs8000 (8000 Bq ¹³⁷Cs/kgbw), BPA/Cs4000 and BPA/Cs8000. At the age of two months, urines (24h) and blood samples were collected from animals of each group to determine biochemical parameters. Finally, kidneys and liver were removed to quantify DNA damage (8-OHdG), as well as to determine CYP1A2 mRNA expression. Data suggest that both BPA and ¹³⁷Cs induced renal and liver damage evidenced by oxidative stress. However, when there is a co-exposure, it seems that there are compensatory mechanisms that may reverse the damage induced by each toxic itself. Notwithstanding, more studies are necessary to better understand the synergistic mechanisms behind.