title: CoQ10-containing eye drops prevent UVB-induced cornea cell damage and increase cornea wound healing by preserving mitochondrial function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the potential protective effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on human corneal cells and rabbit eyes after ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and a model of wound healing in rabbit eyes after corneal epithelium removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human corneal epithelium cells (HCE) were exposed to a source of UVB radiation (312 nM) in the presence of different CoQ10 concentrations or vehicle. The mitochondrial function and cell survival were evaluated by means of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) reduction and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Furthermore, quantitation of oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential were conducted. In vivo rabbit models were adopted to evaluate the effect of CoQ10 on UVB-induced conjunctival vessel hyperemia and corneal recovery after ethanol induced corneal lesion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In UVB-exposed HCE cells, CoQ10 addition led to an increased survival rate and mitochondrial function. Furthermore, oxygen consumption was maintained at control levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) decline was completely prevented in the CoQ10-treated cells. Interestingly, in an in vivo model, CoQ10 was able dose-dependently to reduce UVB-induced vessel hyperemia. Finally, in a model of corneal epithelium removal, 12 hours from surgery, animals treated with CoQ10 showed a reduction of damaged area in respect to vehicle controls, which lasted until 48 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated that CoQ10 reduces corneal damages after UVB exposure in vivo and in vitro by preserving mitochondrial function. Also, for the first time to our knowledge we showed that the administration of CoQ10 after corneal epithelium removal promotes corneal wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine and Translational Surgery, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mencucci
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine and Translational Surgery, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Favuzza
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine and Translational Surgery, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boccalini
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences-Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lapucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences-Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felici
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Resta
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences-Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiarugi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences-Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cavone
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014815:Vitamins; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10
keywords: CoQ10; corneal wound healing; mitochondrial function