Coenzyme Q10 supplementation affects cellular ionic balance: relevance to aging

Aging results into disruptive physiological functioning and cellular processes that affect the composition and structure of the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is the major regulator of ionic homeostasis that regulates the functioning of membrane transporters and exchangers. Coenzyme Q(10) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant molecule that declines during aging and age-associated diseases. The present study aims to explore the role of Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation to rats during aging on membrane transporters and redox biomarkers. The study was conducted on young and old male Wistar rats supplemented with 20 mg/kg b.w. of Coenzyme Q(10) per day. After a period of 28 days, rats were sacrificed and erythrocyte membrane was isolated. The result exhibits significant decline in biomarkers of oxidative stress in old control rats when compared with young control. The effect of Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation was more pronounced in old rats. The functioning of membrane transporters and Na+/H+ exchanger showed potential return to normal levels in the Coenzyme Q(10) treated rats. Overall, the results demonstrate that Coenzyme Q(10) plays an important role in maintaining redox balance in cells which interconnects with membrane integrity. Thus, Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation may play an important role in protecting age related alterations in erythrocyte membrane physiology.