Affiliations: Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular
Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA | Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University,
West Lafayette, IN, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: D. James Morré, Department of
Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. E-mail: morre@pharmacy.purdue.edu
Abstract: arNOX is a coenzyme Q_{10}-inhibited, aging-related ECTO-NOX
protein of the cell surface also present in sera. It is capable of superoxide
generation measured as superoxide dismutase-inhibited reduction of
ferricytochrome c and is a potential contributor to atherogenic risk. Here, we
report an arNOX activity of saliva of older individuals also inhibited by
coenzyme Q_{10}. The activity first appears after age 30 to a near maximum at
about age 55. Those surviving beyond age 55 usually have reduced arNOX
activities. Our studies demonstrate significant (25 to 30%) reduction of
arNOX levels with coenzyme Q_{10} supplementation of 60 mg (2 × 30 mg)
per day for 28 days. Activity correlated with age. Response to coenzyme
Q_{10} increased with age being greatest between ages 60 and 65. Saliva arNOX
levels varied in a regular pattern throughout the day so it was important that
samples be collected at approximately the same time each day for comparative
purposes. The coenzyme Q_{10} response was reversible and within 12 h after
the last intake of coenzyme Q_{10}, the salivary arNOX levels returned to
base line. The findings suggest that salivary arNOX provides a convenient and
non-invasive method to monitor arNOX levels in clinical coenzyme Q_{10}
intervention trials with the response levels paralleling those seen with serum
and cellular arNOX.
Journal: BioFactors, vol. 32, no. 1-4, pp. 231-235, 2008
