Protective effect of coenzyme Q10 on erythrolysis induced by octoxinol or hypotonic salines.

Using dog erythrocytes, the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the resistance of the erythrocyte membrane was investigated. Hemolysis was induced either by Octoxinol (Triton X-100) a well-known detergent, or by hypotonic salines. Although no detectable CoQ10 was observed in erythrocyte without CoQ10 addition, the increment in CoQ10 content in erythrocyte was found to be proportional to the doses of CoQ10 added to the erythrocyte samples. Administration of CoQ10 inhibited significantly the hemolysis induced either by octoxinol or hypotonic salines by a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that CoQ10 incorporated into the erythrocyte increased the resistance of erythrocyte membrane by a direct structural effect on the membrane.