Idebenone - NutraPedia

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Idebenone Information

1) What conditions has it been studied for?

Idebenone has been studied for a variety of conditions, including:

  • Friedreich's ataxia
  • Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
  • Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease
  • Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies
  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
  • Cardiac and liver diseases
  • Skin aging and protection from oxidative stress

2) Does it work in treating those conditions?

The efficacy of idebenone in treating these conditions varies:

  • For Friedreich's ataxia and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, there is some evidence suggesting it may provide benefits in slowing the progression of these diseases, though more research is needed.
  • Its benefits in neurodegenerative diseases and mitochondrial disorders are still under investigation, with mixed results.
  • In the case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, idebenone has shown potential in improving respiratory function in some studies.
  • As an antioxidant, it may offer some protection against oxidative stress, which is beneficial for skin aging.

3) What health benefits does it have?

Idebenone is known for its antioxidant properties and may have several health benefits, such as:

  • Protecting cells from oxidative damage
  • Potentially slowing the progression of certain neurological and muscular diseases
  • Improving mitochondrial function
  • Reducing signs of aging in the skin

4) Does it have any downsides?

Like any compound, idebenone may have downsides, including:

  • Mild to moderate side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, and headaches
  • Potential interactions with other medications
  • Limited availability and high cost
  • Potential for ineffective treatment in some conditions due to inconclusive evidence

5) Is it beneficial or harmful for any particular genetic variations?

Specific genetic variations can influence the effectiveness of idebenone:

  • Individuals with certain mutations causing Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy may respond better to idebenone treatment.
  • Genetic differences in mitochondrial function may affect how well a person responds to idebenone in disorders like Friedreich's ataxia.
  • More research is needed to fully understand the impact of genetic variations on idebenone's efficacy and safety.

Idebenone Research Summary

Research on Idebenone's Mechanism and Therapeutic Effects:

  • Idebenone, also known as CV-2619, can inhibit lipid peroxidation in rat brain mitochondria, acting as an antioxidant and protecting mitochondrial function.
  • The compound exhibits dose-dependent inhibition effects on mitochondrial respiration during glutamate oxidation but does not affect succinate oxidase activities.
  • Idebenone appears to act as an electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, selectively inhibiting NADH-cytochrome c reductase.

Measurement of Idebenone in Plasma:

  • A method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection can measure idebenone levels, demonstrating sensitive and linear responses for plasma concentrations.

Neuroprotective Effects of Idebenone:

  • Idebenone protects against cytotoxicity caused by L-Glutamate in the N18-RE-105 neuronal cell line and reduces oxidative stress.
  • The drug mitigates glutamate-induced damage in PC12 cells and preserves cellular viability by acting as an antioxidant.
  • In ischemic conditions, idebenone's neuroprotective effects are linked to the prevention of ATP depletion, suggesting a potential role in stroke treatment.

Impact on Neuronal Degeneration and Cognitive Functions:

  • Idebenone protects neurons against degeneration caused by excitotoxins and may improve cognitive functions in aged rats.
  • The drug enhances certain cognitive acquisition in aged rats by decreasing reactivity to novel stimuli.

Studies on Idebenone in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON):

  • Some studies suggest idebenone may lead to remission of LHON symptoms, while others report no significant improvement in visual function.
  • Idebenone combined with vitamins B2 and C showed accelerated visual recovery in LHON patients.
  • Clinical trials indicate that idebenone is safe and may be effective for LHON patients with discordant visual acuities.

References:


  1. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation by a novel compound (CV-2619) in brain mitochondria and mode of action of the inhibition
  2. Determination of idebenone in plasma by HPLC with post-column fluorescence derivatization using 2-cyanoacetamide
  3. Effects of idebenone (CV-2619) and its metabolites on respiratory activity and lipid peroxidation in brain mitochondria from rats and dogs
  4. Antioxidants protect against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in a neuronal cell line
  5. Glutamate toxicity on a PC12 cell line involves glutathione (GSH) depletion and oxidative stress
  6. Metabolic inhibition increases glutamate susceptibility on a PC12 cell line
  7. Idebenone attenuates neuronal degeneration induced by intrastriatal injection of excitotoxins
  8. Protective action of idebenone against excitotoxic degeneration in cultured cortical neurons
  9. Effects of idebenone on neurological deficits, local cerebral blood flow, and energy metabolism in rats with experimental cerebral ischemia
  10. Effects of idebenone on memory impairment induced in ischemic and embolization models of cerebrovascular disturbance in rats
  11. Idebenone inhibition of glutamate release from rat cerebral cortex nerve endings by suppression of voltage-dependent calcium influx and protein kinase A
  12. Potentiation of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)-selective glutamate receptor function by a nootropic drug, idebenone
  13. Effect of minaprine and other reference drugs on passive avoidance impairment induced by cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils
  14. Effect of idebenone (CV-2619) on memory impairment observed in passive avoidance task in rats with cerebral embolization
  15. Effects of idebenone on information processing in aged Long-Evans rats
  16. Idebenone protects hippocampal neurons against amyloid beta-peptide-induced neurotoxicity in rat primary cultures
  17. Involvement of oxidative stress on the impairment of energy metabolism induced by A beta peptides on PC12 cells: protection by antioxidants
  18. Protective effects of idebenone and alpha-tocopherol on beta-amyloid-(1-42)-induced learning and memory deficits in rats: implication of oxidative stress in beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in vivo
  19. Remission of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy with idebenone
  20. Do idebenone and vitamin therapy shorten the time to achieve visual recovery in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy?
  21. Clinical and brain bioenergetics improvement with idebenone in a patient with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy: a clinical and 31P-MRS study
  22. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) with 14484/ND6 mutation in a North African patient
  23. Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON/11778) with myoclonus: report of two cases
  24. [Response to idebenone and multivitamin therapy in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy]
  25. Idebenone treatment in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy
  26. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of idebenone in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy


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