The Beneficial Effect of Coenzyme Q10 and Lipoic Acid on Obstructive Bladder Dysfunction in the Rabbit
Received 14 February 2008 published online 22 September 2008.
Purpose
Recent evidence indicates that ischemia and reperfusion are major etiological factors in the bladder dysfunction that occurs after partial bladder outlet obstruction. Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid are found naturally in mitochondria and act as potent antioxidants. We investigated the beneficial effects of coenzyme Q10 plus α-lipoic acid in a rabbit model of bladder outlet obstruction.
Materials and Methods
Twenty male rabbits were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as control and group 2 received three weeks of coenzyme Q10 plus α-lipoic acid supplementation. Rabbits in group 3 underwent surgical partial bladder outlet obstruction for duration of four weeks and groups 4 and 5 were obstructed for seven weeks. In group 5, coenzyme Q10 plus α-lipoic acid supplementation was given following 4 weeks obstruction and continued till the end of the seven weeks. The contractile responses to various agents were determined. The protein nitration and carbonylation levels were studied by immunoblotting. Nerve function was determined by choline acetyltransferase activity and nerve density.
Results
The contractile responses to different forms of stimulations, including field stimulation, ATP, carbachol and KCl all showed decreases following 4 and 7 weeks obstruction. Treatment with coenzyme Q10 plus α-lipoic acid significantly restored contractile responses to all forms of stimulation. Treatment also had mitochondrial and neuronal effects and reduced protein nitration and carbonylation. Histologically there was less detrusor muscle hypertrophy.
Conclusions
The current study clearly demonstrates that coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid supplementation can improve bladder function after outlet obstruction.
ABSTRACT