Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Markers, Inflammatory Markers, Lymphocyte Subpopulations, and Clinical Status in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease.

Scarce data exist on the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase, F2-isoprostanes), markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF soluble receptor II, leucocytes, and their subtypes), lymphocyte subpopulations (T helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, including activated T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes), and echocardiographic and clinical parameters in dogs with MMVD. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, longitudinal study, 43 MMVD dogs in stages ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine classification) B2 and ACVIM C and D (congestive heart failure (CHF)) received water-soluble coenzyme Q10 (100 mg twice daily) or placebo for 3 months, and 12 non-supplemented healthy dogs served as controls. All parameters were measured before and after supplementation in MMVD dogs and once in healthy dogs. CoQ10 supplementation had a positive impact on neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, and lymphocyte concentration in our cohort of dogs with CHF (ACVIM C and D). Conclusion: CoQ10 as an oral supplement may have benefits in terms of decreasing inflammation in dogs with MMVD and CHF.

Randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial of the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dose of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) needed to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS: 18 dogs with CHF due to MMVD and 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: In a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, dogs with MMVD were given 50 or 100 mg of water-soluble CoQ10 (ubiquinone; total daily dose, 100 mg [n = 5] or 200 mg [6]) or a placebo (7), PO, twice a day for 2 weeks in addition to regular cardiac treatment. Plasma CoQ10 concentration was measured in dogs with MMVD before (baseline) and at various time points after supplementation began and in healthy dogs once. Concentrations were compared among and within groups. RESULTS: No significant difference in median baseline plasma CoQ10 concentration was detected between healthy dogs and dogs with MMVD. Fold increases in plasma CoQ10 concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 and 3.2 to 6.8 for individual dogs in the 100-mg and 200-mg groups, respectively. The change in plasma CoQ10 concentration after supplementation began was significantly higher than in the placebo group at 4 hours and 1 and 2 weeks for dogs in the 200-mg group and at 1 and 2 weeks for dogs in the 100-mg group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A daily CoQ10 dose of 200 mg was sufficient to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration and may be used in CoQ10 supplementation studies involving dogs with CHF due to MMVD.

Fungal and enzymatic treatment of mature municipal landfill leachate.

The aim of our study was to evaluate biotreatability of mature municipal landfill leachate by using white rot fungus and its extracellular enzymes. Leachates were collected in one active and one closed regional municipal landfill. Both chosen landfills were operating for many years and the leachates generated there were polluted by organic and inorganic compounds. The white rot fungus Dichomitus squalens was able to grow in the mature leachate from the closed landfill and as it utilizes present organic matter as a source of carbon, the results were showing 60% of DOC and COD removal and decreased toxicity to the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri. On the other hand, growth of the fungus was inhibited in the presence of the leachate from the active landfill. However, when the leachate was introduced to a crude enzyme filtrate containing extracellular ligninolytic enzymes, removal levels of COD and DOC reached 61% and 44%, respectively. Furthermore, the treatment led to detoxification of the leachate to the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and to reduction of toxicity (42%) to the plant Sinapis alba. Fungal and enzymatic treatment seems to be a promising biological approach for treatment of mature landfill leachates and their application should be further investigated.

Enhanced enzyme production with the pelleted form of D. squalens in laboratory bioreactors using added natural lignin inducer.

White-rot fungi are extensively used in various submerged biotechnology processes to produce ligninolytic enzymes. Transfer of the process from the laboratory to the industrial level requires optimization of the cultivation conditions on the laboratory scale. An interesting area of optimization is pellet growth since this morphological form solves problems such as the decreased oxygen concentration, limited heat, and nutrient transport, which usually occur in dispersed mycelium cultures. Many submerged fermentations with basidiomycetes in pellet form were done with Phanerochaete, Trametes, and Bjerkandera species, among others. In our study, another promising basidiomycete, D. squalens, was used for ligninolytic enzyme production. With the addition of wood particles (sawdust) as a natural inducer and optimization of mixing and aeration conditions in laboratory stirred tank (STR) and bubble column (BCR) reactors on pellet growth and morphology, the secretion of laccase and the manganese-dependent peroxidase into the medium was substantially enhanced. The maximum mean pellet radius was achieved after 10 days in the BCR (5.1 mm) where pellets were fluffy and 5 days in the STR (3.5 mm) where they were round and smooth. The maximum Lac activity (1,882 U l(-1)) was obtained after 12 days in the STR, while maximum MnP activity (449.8 U l(-1)) occurred after 18 days in the BCR. The pellet size and morphology depended on the agitation and aeration conditions and consequently influenced a particular enzyme synthesis. The enzyme activities were high and comparable with the activities found for other investigations in reactors with basidiomycetes in the form of pellets.