A Combination of Lipoic Acid Plus Coenzyme Q10 Induces PGC1 alpha, a Master Switch of Energy Metabolism, Improves Stress Response, and Increases Cellular Glutathione Levels in Cultured C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells

作者：Wagner A E; Ernst I M A; Birringer M; Sancak Oe; Barella L; Rimbach G^*

来源：Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012, 2012: 835970.

DOI：10.1155/2012/835970

Skeletal muscle function largely depend on intact energy metabolism, stress response, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. In this study, we tested the effect of a combined supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) plus coenzyme Q10 (Q10) on PPAR gamma-coactivator alpha (PGC1 alpha) activity, expression of glutathione-related phase II enzymes and glutathione (GSH) levels in cultured C2C12 myotubes. Supplementation of myotubes with 250 mu mol/L LA plus 100 mu mol/L Q10 significantly increased nuclear levels of PGC1 alpha, a master switch of energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. The increase of nuclear PGC1 alpha was accompanied by an increase in PPAR gamma transactivation, a downstream target of PGC1 alpha, and an increase in mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA centrally involved in mitochondrial replication and transcription. Furthermore, supplementation of myotubes with LA plus Q10 resulted in an increase of genes encoding proteins involved in stress response, GSH synthesis, and its recycling. In LA-plus-Q10-treated myotubes a significant 4-fold increase in GSH was evident. This increase in GSH was accompanied by increased nuclear Nrf2 protein levels, partly regulating gamma GCS and GST gene expression. Present data suggest that the combined supplementation of skeletal muscle cells with LA plus Q10 may improve energy homeostasis, stress response, and antioxidant defense mechanisms.

• 出版日期2012