Coenzyme Q10 prevents RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by promoting autophagy via inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2024 May 3:57:e13474. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X2024e13474. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that is implicated in the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, but the underlying mechanism has not been determined. We explored the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this process. RAW264.7 cells received receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and CoQ10, after which the differentiation and viability of osteoclasts were assessed. After the cells were treated with CoQ10 and/or H2O2 and RANKL, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways and autophagy were tested. Moreover, after the cells were pretreated with or without inhibitors of the two pathways or with the mitophagy agonist, the levels of autophagy-related proteins and osteoclast markers were measured. CoQ10 significantly decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells and the level of ROS but had no significant impact on cell viability. The relative phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, ERK, and p38 were significantly reduced, but the levels of FOXO3/LC3/Beclin1 were significantly augmented. Moreover, the levels of FOXO3/LC3/Beclin1 were significantly increased by the inhibitors and mitophagy agonist, while the levels of osteoclast markers showed the opposite results. Our data showed that CoQ10 prevented RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by promoting autophagy via inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways in RAW264.7 cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy* / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Mice
  • Osteoclasts* / drug effects
  • Osteogenesis* / drug effects
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases* / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt* / metabolism
  • RANK Ligand* / metabolism
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases* / metabolism
  • Ubiquinone* / analogs & derivatives
  • Ubiquinone* / pharmacology

Substances

  • coenzyme Q10
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • RANK Ligand
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Ubiquinone
  • mTOR protein, mouse