EFFECT OF COENZYME Q₁₀ ON EXPERIMENTAL HYPERTENSION IN RATS AND DOGS

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Section of Experimental Therapeutics Research, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

In a preceding study (Igarashi et al. Folia Pharmacol. Jap. 68: 460, 1972), we reported that multiple dosing with coenzyme Q₁₀ (Q-10) prevented time progress of experimental hypertension induced by desoxycorticosterone and saline administration to unilaterally nephrectomized rats. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antihypertensive action of Q-10 in other types of experimental hypertension, i.e., metacorticoid, adrenal-regeneration and spontaneous hypertension in rats and Goldblatt renal hypertension in dogs. In all of these experimental models, the oral administration of Q-10 (1-10 mg/kg/day) was effective in suppressing the development of hypertension or in reducing advanced hypertension. Even under the effect of Q-10, however, blood pressure remained approximately 20 to 30 mm Hg higher than the normal range of the respective animals. The effect of this compound was manifested after repeated administration for more than 7 days and lasted long after the administration of Q-10 was terminated.