Single intravenous injection of coenzyme [Q.sub.10] protects the myocardium after irreversible ischemia

Experiments were performed on the model of irreversible myocardial ischemia in Wistar rats. Coenzyme [Q.sub.10] was injected intravenously 10 min after coronary artery occlusion. On day 21 after myocardial infarction the content of coenzyme [Q.sub.10] in the left ventricle, liver, and plasma from animals of the treatment group was higher than that in untreated rats by 23, 1042, and 87%, respectively (p < 0.05). The area of the necrotic zone was lower, and postinfarction hypertrophy of the left ventricle was less pronounced in coenzyme-receiving rats. Right ventricular hypertrophy did not develop in these animals. These rats were characterized by greater stroke volume (by 24.6%, p < 0.05), stroke work (by 34.9%), cardiac output (by 37.8%, p < 0.05), ejection fraction (by 35.7%, p < 0.05), and contractility (by 22.5%, p < 0.05), but lower end-diastolic pressure (by 25.8%, p < 0.05) than untreated animals. These data indicate that the development of parenteral ubiquinone preparations holds much promise for urgent therapy of acute cardiovascular disorders. Key Words: coenzyme Q10; intravenous injection; myocardial infarction; hypertrophy; left ventricular hemodynamics