MitoQ protects against liver injury induced by severe burn plus delayed resuscitation by suppressing the mtDNA-NLRP3 axis.

INTRODUCTION: Liver injury induced by burn plus delayed resuscitation (B + DR) is life threatening in clinical settings. Mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress may account for the liver injury. MitoQ is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. We aimed to evaluate whether MitoQ protects against B + DR-induced liver injury. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the sham group; (2) the B + DR group, which was characterized by third-degree burn of 30% of the total body surface area plus delayed resuscitation, and (3) the treatment group, in which rats from the B + DR model received the target treatment. MitoQ was injected intraperitoneally (i.p) at 15 min before resuscitation and shortly after resuscitation. In the vitro experiments, Kupffer cells (KCs) were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury to simulate the B + DR model. Mitochondrial characteristics, oxidative stress, liver function, KCs apoptosis and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in KCs were measured. RESULTS: B + DR caused liver injury and oxidative stress. Excessive ROS lead to liver injury by damaging mitochondrial integrity and activating the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-NLRP3 axis in KCs. The oxidized mtDNA, which was released into the cytosol during KCs apoptosis, directly bound and activated the NLRP3 inflammasome. MitoQ protected against liver injury by scavenging intracellular and mitochondrial ROS, preserving mitochondrial integrity and function, reducing KCs apoptosis, inhibiting the release of mtDNA, and suppressing the mtDNA-NLRP3 axis in KCs. CONCLUSION: MitoQ protected against B + DR-induced liver injury by suppressing the mtDNA-NLRP3 axis.