Eight Weeks of MitoQ Supplementation Does Not Alter Kidney Function or Urinary Kidney Injury Biomarkers in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Introduction: Several human trials have used the mitochondrial antioxidant mitoquinol mesylate (MitoQ). There are no apparent negative consequences on the kidneys following an acute high dose of MitoQ in young adults, however it remains unclear whether chronic MitoQ influences kidney function. Therefore, we examined whether eight weeks MitoQ supplementation (20mg/day) impacts kidney function and kidney injury biomarkers using a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in middle-aged and older adults (n=30, 8 males/22 females, 57±8 years). Methods: Participants completed four visits (pre- and post-placebo; pre- and post-MitoQ) where we collected serum samples (creatinine and cystatin c) and 24-hr urine samples to assess general kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] and creatinine clearance), and kidney injury markers (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin; NGAL, kidney injury molecule-1; KIM-1, nephrin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2; TIMP-2, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7; IGFBP7). We used mixed-effects models to examine time, condition, and interaction effects. Results: We observed no alterations in glomerular filtration measures (ps ≥ 0.309), or kidney injury markers when indexed to flow rate, osmolality, or creatinine (ps ≥ 0.198). For example, TIMP-2 × IGFBP7 was not different between groups (pre placebo: 114 ± 162, post placebo: 138 ± 161; pre MitoQ: 162 ± 238, post MitoQ: 127 ± 137 ng2/min; interaction p = 0.754). Conclusion: Eight weeks of MitoQ supplementation doesn’t appear to benefit or harm kidney function or kidney injury markers in middle-aged and older adults.