Treatment With Coenzyme Q10, ω-3-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Combination Improved Bioenergetics and Levels of Coenzyme Q9 and Q10 in Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Experimental Model of Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its animal model adjuvant arthritis (AA) are inflammatory diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, systemic oxidative stress and disturbed mitochondria! bioenergetics of skeletal muscle. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q(10) - C0Q(10) (100 mg/kg b.w.), omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids -omega-3-PUFA (400 mg/kg b.w.) and their combined treatment in AA on impaired skeletal muscle mitochondria! bioenergetics, inflammation and changes in levels CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) in plasma. Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, monocytechemotactic protein-1), antioxidant capacity of plasma, respiratory chain parameters of skeletal muscle mitochondria and concentrations of CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) in plasma and in muscle tissue were estimated. Treatment of the arthritic rats with CoQ(10), omega-3-PUFA alone and in combination partially reduced markers of inflammation and increased antioxidant capacity of plasma, significantly increased concentrations of coenzyme Q in mitochondria and improved mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscle. Combined treatment has similar effect on the mitochondrial function as monotherapies; however, it has affected inflammation and antioxidant status more intensively than monotherapies. Long-term supplementary administration of coenzyme Q(10) and omega-3-PUFA and especially their combination is able to restore the impaired mitochondria! bioenergetics and antioxidant status in AA.