Coenzyme Q 10 alleviates tacrolimus‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney

The major side effect of tacrolimus (Tac) is nephrotoxicity. We studied whether supplementation of coenzyme Q 10 , (CoQ 10 ) a potent antioxidant, can reduce Tac‐induced nephrotoxicity via improving mitochondrial function. In an in vitro study, CoQ 10 reduced the production of Tac‐induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and abolished the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in proximal tubular cell line. Assessment of mitochondrial function revealed that CoQ 10 decreased oxygen consumption and mitochondrial respiration rate increased by Tac, suggesting improvement of mitochondrial function to synthesize ATP with CoQ 10 treatment. The effect of the CoQ 10 in vitro study was observed in an experimental model of chronic Tac‐induced nephropathy. CoQ 10 attenuated Tac‐induced oxidative stress and was accompanied by function and histologic improvement. On electron microscopy, addition of CoQ 10 increased not only the number but also the volume of mitochondria compared with Tac treatment only. Our data indicate that CoQ 10 improves Tac‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney. Supplementary CoQ 10 treatment may be a promising approach to reduce Tac‐induced nephrotoxicity.—Yu, J. H., Lim, S. W., Luo, K., Cui, S., Quan, Y., Shin, Y. J., Lee, K. E., Kim, H. L., Ko, E. J., Chung, B. H., Kim, J. H., Chung, S. J., Yang, C. W. Coenzyme Q 10 alleviates tacrolimus‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney. FASEB J. 33, 12288‐12298 (2019). www.fasebj.org