Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis in cirrhotic rats

In liver cirrhosis, oxidative stress plays a major role in promoting liver inflammation and fibrosis. Mitochondria dysregulation is responsible for excessive reactive oxygen species production. Therefore, in an experimental model of cirrhosis, we investigated the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone. Liver cirrhosis was induced in Spraque-Dawley rats by common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Mitoquinone (10 mg·kg−1·day−1, oral gavage) or vehicle was administered from 3rd to 28th day after CBDL, when animals were euthanized; liver oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, mitophagy were evaluated; and in vivo and ex vivo hemodynamic studies were performed. In cirrhotic rats, mitoquinone prevented liver inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and fibrosis at histological examination; decreased circulating TNF-α, gene expression of transforming growth factor-β1, collagen type 1a1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-13; and reduced hepatic oxidative stress, as shown by reduced oxidative carbonylation of the proteins, by modulating antioxidants catalase, Mn superoxide dismutase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, mitoquinone attenuated apoptosis by reducing hepatic protein expression of cleaved caspase-3. A selective removal of dysfunctional mitochondria was improved by mitoquinone, as shown by the increase in Parkin translocation to mitochondria. Treatment with mitoquinone normalized the weight of the spleen; however, it increased portal blood flow and reduced splenic artery intrahepatic resistance, suggesting an effect on resistance index. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone improves liver inflammation and fibrosis in cirrhotic rats by reducing hepatic oxidative stress, preventing apoptosis, and promoting removal of dysfunctional mitochondria. Therefore, it may represent a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis.