Coenzyme Q₁₀ Attenuates the Progression of Cardiomyopathy in Hamsters

Abstract

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (10mg/kg/day) or digoxin (2μg/kg/day) was given orally to cardiomyopathic hamsters (BIO 14.6) for 8 weeks from 12 weeks of age. The left ventricular weight per gram of body weight (mg/g) was lower (p<0.01) in the coenzyme Q₁₀ group (3.09±0.13) than in the digoxin (3.32±0.20) and control (3.44±0.14) groups. Left ventricular function was evaluated in isovolumically beating hearts. Left ventricular developed pressure (63±5 vs. 54±10mmHg, p<0.05), +dP/dt (1385±100 vs. 1211±136mmHg/sec, p<0.05), and -dP/dt (1068±126 vs. 896±141mmHg/sec, p<0.05) were greater in the coenzyme Q₁₀ than in the control group. The time constant of left ventricular relaxation was shorter in the coenzyme Q₁₀ group than in the control group (25±3 vs. 28±3 msec, p<0.05). By contrast, in the digoxin group, the indices of left ventricular function did not differ from the control group. These results suggest that coenzyme Q₁₀, but not digoxin, attenuated disease progression and preserved left ventricular function in cardiomyopathic hamsters.