Effects of MitoQ on Central Hemodynamics, Arterial Stiffness, and Oxidative Stress In Healthy, Young Adults

• Published in: The FASEB journal 2021-05, Vol.35 (S1), p.n/a, Article fasebj.2021.35.S1.05402
• Main Authors: Tharpe, McKenna, Barnett, Alex, Hutchison, Zach, Linder, Braxton, Kavazis, Andreas, Brown, Michael, Robinson, Austin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.05402

PURPOSE Cardiovascular disease is characterized by blood pressure (BP) dysregulation and vascular dysfunction, secondary to vascular oxidative stress. Exogenous antioxidants mitigate vascular oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). MitoQ, a mitochondrial specific antioxidant improves vascular function and reduces elevated arterial stiffness in older adults. However, it is unclear if MitoQ improves vascular function in healthy young adults for primary prevention purposes. Therefore, central hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, and measures of oxidative stress were assessed in healthy young adults before and after acute MitoQ (or placebo) supplementation. METHODS Eleven participants (six females, age: 26±4 years, BMI: 25±3 kg/m2, screening BP: 109±10/65±4 mmHg, Mean±SD) reported to our laboratory for two separate sessions (crossover design) and randomly assigned either a placebo or MitoQ protocol (100‐160mg, depending on body mass). Sessions were separated by ≥72‐hour wash out period. Laboratory measures were performed before and 45 minutes after MitoQ (or placebo) capsules were ingested. Following ≥10 minutes of quiet rest, triplicate readings of brachial (oscillometric) and aortic BP (SphygmoCor) were obtained. We assessed carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index as indices of arterial stiffness. We obtained blood samples via intravenous catheter placement to assess ROS levels with electron paramagnetic resonance and plasma superoxide dismutase activity using an enzymatic assay kit. 2‐way ANOVAs were performed to determine effects on treatment x time interaction. RESULTS No significant treatment x time interactions for brachial (p=0.52) and aortic (p=0.64) systolic BP readings, or brachial (p=0.34) and aortic (p=0.11) diastolic BP readings were observed. However, brachial systolic BP tended to modestly increase after capsule ingestion (placebo:114±8 to 118±9; MitoQ: 116±11 to 118±8; time: p=0.05). Carotid‐femoral PWV did not change following placebo (4.3±0.7 to 4.5±0.8 m/s) or MitoQ (4.3±0.7 to 4.4±0.8 m/s) ingestion (time: p=0.35, interaction p=0.30). Augmentation index decreased from pre‐ to post‐ capsule ingestion for both placebo (14±9 to 11±8 %) and MitoQ (14±9 to 10±8 %; time: p