Evaluation of the functional state of mitochondria isolated from mononuclear leukocytes by flow cytometry in patients with chronic heart failure receiving ubidecarenone

Aim. To evaluate the functional state of mitochondria isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes using flow cytometry in patients with chronic heart failure receiving ubidecarenone (coenzyme Q).

Materials and methods. The study included 53 patients with chronic heart failure who had experienced myocardial infarction. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 received optimally chosen standard therapy, while group 2 received optimally chosen standard therapy and ubidecarenone (“Kudevite”). The mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by flow cytometry using propidium iodide and 3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3)). The levels of coenzyme Q were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (UV) detection.

Results. A direct correlation was established between the coenzyme Q levels in the blood plasma and the percentage of DiOC6(3)-positive cells (R = 0.39; р < 0.05) in the patients with chronic heart failure. In group 1, no significant differences in the coenzyme Q levels and the percentage of DiOC6(3)-positive and DiOC6(3)-negative cells before and after the therapy were observed. In group 2, a significant increase in the proportion of DiOC6(3)-positive cells and a significant decrease in the percentage of DiOC6(3)-negative cells were revealed.

Conclusion. The increase in the functional activity of mitochondria in the patients with chronic heart failure receiving ubidecarenone was identified. Flow cytometry can be used to evaluate the functional state of mitochondria and observe the efficiency of the selected therapy.

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