Idebenone (CV-2619) is a synthetic analog of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and a brain stimulant. In vitro
Idebenone effectively protects from retinal cell injury after oxidative stress or hypoglycemia, whereas the protection afforded after postincubation of both antioxidants is decreased. Idebenone attenuates delayed retinal cell damage, mediated by chemical ischemia. Idebenone, a centrally active antioxidant used to treat multiinfarct dementia, protects cells from this form of glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. Idebenone provides significant protection against the neuronal degeneration induced by intrastriatal injection of kainic acid and quisqualic acid, but not the NMDA receptor agonist, quinolinic acid.
In vivo
Idebenone prevents the behavioural deficits in Y-maze and water maze, but not passive avoidance, tasks in A beta-(1-42)-infused rats when they are repeatedly administered by mouth once a day from 3 days before the start of A beta infusion to the end of behavioural experiments. Idebenone (100 and 300 mg/kg) is orally administered to rats for 3 days, it increases the state 3 respiration stimulated by ADP, slightly decreasez the state 4 respiration after the consumption of ADP and resultz in a significant increase of the respiratory control index (RCI) by 14-19% for glutamate oxidation and 10-17% for succinate oxidation, respectively. Idebenone significantly suppresses by about 10% the non-respiratory oxygen consumption, which closely associated with non-enzymatic reactions such as lipid peroxidation, membrane lysis and swelling of mitochondria. Cell Data
