Effect of beer consumption on levels of complex I and complex IV liver and heart mitochondrial enzymes and coenzymes Q9 and Q10 in adriamycin-treated rats.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence indicating that the dietary intake of food with high antioxidant capacity may protect mitochondria from damage and exert positive effects on different pathogenic processes. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effect of alcohol-free beer intake on chain components dysfunction of liver and heart mitochondria, and to compare with the effect of alcohol beer intake.
METHODS: The study was carried out in rat heart and liver mitochondria by inducing with Adriamycin the dysfunction of the respiratory chain. Heart and liver mitochondria were isolated from rats and subjected to oxidative stress with two doses of Adriamycin (5 mg/Kg) 7 days from the beginning of consumption of both alcohol-free and alcohol beer during 31 days. Complexes I and IV and the levels of coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) were evaluated and compared with a control group.
RESULTS: Liver and heart mitochondria isolated from rats treated with Adryamicin showed a decrease in levels of complex I and complex IV enzymatic activity and in levels of coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10). Beer intake for itself does not affect any of the studied parameters. Therefore, the consumption of both alcohol and alcohol-free beer by rats treated with Adriamycin prevents the inhibition of enzymatic activities of complexes I and IV and the oxidation of coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) in rat heart and liver mitochondria.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that alcohol-free beer prevents adriamycin-induced damage to mitochondrial chain components and, therefore, helps to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction.