Mitoubiquinone Decreases Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Improves Cardiac Efficiency in Chronic Volume Overload

Background: The hemodynamic stress of left ventricular (LV) volume overload (VO) produces LV dysfunction accompanied by mitochondrial and cytoskeletal disruption in cardiomyocytes. Because mitochondria are both a source and target of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we hypothesize myocyte damage and LV dysfunction are mediated by mitochondrially produced ROS and can be attenuated by the mitochondrially targeted antioxidant, mitoubiquinone (MitoQ). Methods: Aortocaval fistula (ACF) was induced for 8 weeks in adult rats ± MitoQ. Echocardiography and high-fidelity LV pressure catheter recordings were used to study the LV end-systolic pressure-volume relationship and cardiac efficiency. Isolated cardiomyocytes were loaded with Carboxy-H2DFFDA (CM-DCF) and tetramethylrhodamine (TMRM) to measure mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential. Results: Isolated cardiomyocyte studies demonstrated increased ROS production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in VO animals, both of which were attenuated with MitoQ. Treatment with MitoQ demonstrated a strong trend toward improvement in LV contractility, as cardiac efficiency improved significantly in MitoQ-treated VO animals. Untreated VO animals exhibited mitochondrial swelling and myofibrillar disruption that was prevented by MitoQ. Conclusion: These studies suggest an early interplay between mitochondrial-derived ROS production and cardiac ultrastructure and function.