UC Irvine

Coenzyme Q10, (CoQ10) an electron transporter and an antioxidant, protects a variety of cell types against oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, protective effect of CoQ10 on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes has not been studied in detail. In this study, we investigated the effect of CoQ10 on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes. An exposure of peripheral blood lymphocytes to oxidative stressors, rotenone or hydrogen peroxide, lead to apoptosis. Pre-treatment of lymphocytes with CoQ10 resulted in a significantly reduced level of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, which was associated with decreased reactive oxygen species production, an inhibition of mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and inhibition of activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, CoQ10 inhibited oxidative stress induced apoptosis in both CD4+ T, and CD8+ T, and CD19+ B cells. Our findings suggest that CoQ10 may provide new therapeutic strategies for preventing oxidative stress-induced cell death and dysfunction in lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets.