title: Idebenone induces oxygen consumption rate modifications in aged rat brain mitochondria.
abstract: Idebenone effects on oxygen consumption in brain mitochondria, obtained from young and aged rats, were evaluated. Sixty rats (3 and 20 months of age) were treated for 3 months with 30 mg/kg of idebenone and compared to a placebo group. Brain mitochondria oxygen consumption rate was measured by polarographic techniques in basal (State 4), ADP-stimulated (State 3) and uncoupled conditions. When Complex I substrates (pyruvate + malate) were used, aged non-treated rats showed a significant increase in State 4 (175%) and uncoupled (152%) O(2)-uptake rate; no difference was found in State 3 respiration and in ADP/O(2) ratio. Idebenone was able to reverse these age-related effects probably acting on lipid peroxidation and the mitochondrial respiratory chain. No differences were found in mitochondrial enzymatic activities.
authors.affiliation: Neurorehabilitation Unit, S. Maria Nascente Medical Research Center, Pro Juventute Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, University of Milan, Via Capecelatro, 66, 20148 Milan, Italy. lucbet@imiucca.csi.unimi.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beta
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Orsina
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Celeste
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rapuzzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pifferi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scarlato
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariani