title: The antioxidant effect of ubiquinone and combined therapy on mitochondrial function in blood cells in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: A randomized, double-blind, phase IIa, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of ubiquinone and combined antioxidant therapy on mitochondrial function in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in a randomized, double-blind, phase IIa, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Three groups of 20 patients were formed: Group 1, ubiquinone; Group 2, combined therapy; and Group 3, placebo (one daily dose for 6 months).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fluidity of the submitochondrial membrane in platelets was determined by examining intensity of fluorescence between the monomer (Im) and excimer (Ie). Hydrolytic activity of the mitochondrial F0F1-ATPase was evaluated with the spectrophotometric method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal, baseline submitochondrial membrane fluidity, 0.24 ± 0.01 Ie/Im, was significantly diminished in the three study groups vs. normal values (P < 0.0001); placebo, 0.14 ± 0.01 Ie/Im; ubiquinone, 0.14 ± 0.01 Ie/Im; and combined therapy, 0.13 ± 0.00 Ie/Im. Afterward, it increased significantly (P < 0.0001), the ubiquinone group 0.22 ± 0.01 Ie/Im, combined therapy group, 0.19 ± 0.01 Ie/Im; with no changes the placebo group. Baseline hydrolytic activity of the F0F1-ATPase enzyme increased in the three study groups vs. normal values (184.50 ± 7.84 nmol PO4), placebo, 304.12 ± 22.83 nmol PO4 (P < 0.002); ubiquinone, 312.41 ± 25.63 nmol PO4 (P < 0.009); and combined therapy, 371.28 ± 33.50 nmol PO4 (P < 0.002). Afterward, a significant decrease the enzymatic activity: ubiquinone, 213.25 ± 14.19 nmol PO4 (P < 0.001); and combined therapy, 225.55 ± 14.48 nmol PO4 (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mitochondrial dysfunction significantly improved in groups of NPDR patients treated with antioxidants.
authors.affiliation: a University Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara (Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: Adolfo Daniel
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Carrizalez
authors.affiliation: b Specialties Hospital of the National Occidental Medical Centre , Mexican Social Security Institute (Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: José Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castellanos-González
authors.affiliation: b Specialties Hospital of the National Occidental Medical Centre , Mexican Social Security Institute (Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: Esaú César
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Martínez-Romero
authors.affiliation: b Specialties Hospital of the National Occidental Medical Centre , Mexican Social Security Institute (Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miller-Arrevillaga
authors.affiliation: a University Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara (Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: Luis Miguel
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Román-Pintos
authors.affiliation: c University Centre for Exact and Engineering Sciences, University of Guadalajara (Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad de Guadalajara) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: Fermín Paul
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Pacheco-Moisés
authors.affiliation: a University Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara (Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara) , Guadalajara , Jalisco , México.
authors.forename: Alejandra Guillermina
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Miranda-Díaz
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D014451:Ubiquinone; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase
keywords: Antioxidants; Co-enzime Q10; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic retinopathy; Mitochondrial function; Oxidative stress