PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF IDEBENONE ON VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AGAINSTTOXICITY INDUCED BY OXIDATIVELY MODIFIED LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN

We examined the protective effects of idebenone, oxydecyl)-2,3-dimetho xy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, on the cytotoxicity of oxidatively-modif ied low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), using cultured vascular endotheli al cells from fetal bovine aorta. When the cells were incubated with i debenone, the toxicity of oxLDL was inhibited dose-dependently (10(-7) -10(-5)M). When cells were preincubated with idebenone, the toxicity o f oxLDL was inhibited only at a high concentration (10(-5)M). However, idebenone had no significant effects on copper-induced modification o f LDL. The protective effects of idebenone on oxLDL-induced endothelia l toxicity may be beneficial for the inhibition of the development of atherosclerosis in the brain and other arterial systems.