title: Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid: antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects in plasma and peripheral blood lymphocytes of supplemented subjects.
abstract: Reactive oxygen species not only cause damage but also have a physiological role in the protection against pathogens and in cell signalling. Mitochondrial nutrients, such as coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid, beside their acknowledged antioxidant activities, show interesting features in relation to their redox state and consequent biological activity. In this study, we tested whether oral supplementation with 200 mg/day of coenzyme Q10 alone or in association with 200 mg/die of α-lipoic acid for 15 days on 16 healthy subjects was able to modulate the oxidative status into different compartments (plasma and cells), in basal condition and following an oxidative insult in peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to H2O2. Data have shown that tested compounds produced antioxidant and bioenergetic effects improving oxidative status of the lipid compartment and mitochondrial functionality in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Simultaneously, an increased intracellular reactive oxygen species level was observed, although they did not lead to enhanced DNA oxidative damage. Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid produced beneficial effects also steering intracellular redox poise toward a pro-oxidant environment. In contrast with other antioxidant molecules, pro-oxidant activities of tested mitochondrial nutrients and consequent oxidant mediated signalling, could have important implications in promoting adaptive response to oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Ranieri, 60128 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Ranieri, 60128 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Ranieri, 60128 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Armeni
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Defense of Salesi, via Toti 60123, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padella
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Ranieri, 60128 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brugè
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Studies University of Sassari, Piazza Università 21, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Seddaiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Ranieri, 60128 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Littarru
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Ranieri, 60128 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tiano
keywords: Coenzyme Q10; DNA damage; mitochondrial functionality; reactive oxygen species; α-lipoic acid