Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is an important pathological process of many ocular diseases.
Mitoquinone (
MitoQ), a mitochondrial targeted
antioxidant, is a potential compound for therapeutic development of RIRI. This study observed the effect of
MitoQ on RIRI, and further explored its possible molecular mechanism. Temporary increase in intraocular pressure was used to establish rat model of RIRI to observe the effect of
MitoQ treatment on
retinal function, pathological injury, oxidative stress,
inflammation and apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect expressions of cleaved
caspase 3,
B cell leukemia/
lymphoma 2 associated X (Bax),
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX1), NOX4, cleaved-Notch 1, hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1), and
sirtuin 1 (
SIRT 1) in retina were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
MitoQ treatment significantly improved
retinal function and pathological injury, inhibited the over-production of
reactive oxygen species, increased the expression of
superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1), suppressed the releases of inflammatory
cytokines, and inhibited
retinal cells apoptosis.
MitoQ also down-regulated the expressions of cleaved
caspase 3, Bax, NOX 1, NOX 4, cleaved-Notch 1, and Hes 1, increased the expression of
SIRT 1
protein and its activity. These effects were significantly reversed by
SIRT1 inhibitor EX527. Our data suggests that
MitoQ, as a potentially effective drug for improving RIRI, may act through the
SIRT1/Notch1/
NADPH signal axis.