CoQ enhances PGC1α and increases expression of mitochondrial antioxidant proteins in chronically ischemic swine myocardium.

Background: Expression of mitochondrial proteins is reduced within hibernating myocardium (HM). It is unclear whether dietary supplementation with CoQ can increase expression of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) and antioxidant proteins within this tissue. In a swine model of HM, we tested whether dietary administration of CoQ for four weeks enhances the expression of ETC and antioxidant proteins within the mitochondria via increased PGC1α signaling.

Methods: 12 swine were instrumented with a fixed constrictor around the LAD artery to induce gradual stenosis. At three months, transthoracic ECHO was performed to confirm the presence of a wall motion abnormality in the anterior wall. Animals were then randomly assigned to receive daily dietary supplements of either CoQ (10 mg/kg/day) or placebo for four weeks. At this time, animals underwent a final ECHO and terminal procedure. Expression of nuclear-bound PGC1α (Western blots) and mitochondrial proteins (Tandem Mass Tag) were determined.

Results: Mitochondrial and nuclear membranes were isolated from the LAD region. Nuclear-bound PGC1α levels were > 200-fold higher with administration of four weeks of CoQ treatment ( = 0.016). Expression of ETC proteins was increased in those animals that received CoQ. Compared with mitochondria in the LAD region from placebo-treated pigs, CoQ-treated pigs had higher levels of Complex I ( = 0.03), Complex IV ( = 0.04) and Complex V ( = 0.028) peptides.

Conclusions: Four weeks of dietary CoQ in HM pigs enhances active, nuclear-bound PGC1α and increases the expression of ETC proteins within mitochondria of HM tissue.