Biochemistry (Mosc). 2010 Feb;75(2):145-50. PubMed

New-generation Skulachev ions exhibiting nephroprotective and neuroprotective properties.

Plotnikov, E. Y.; Silachev, D. N.; Chupyrkina, A. A.; Danshina, M. I.; Jankauskas, S. S.; Morosanova, M. A.; Stelmashook, E. V.; Vasileva, A. K.; Goryacheva, E. S.; Pirogov, Y. A.; Isaev, N. K.; Zorov, D. B.

A mitochondria-targeted chimeric compound consisting of a rhodamine derivative linked to a plastoquinone molecule (10-(6'-plastoquinonyl)decylrhodamine, SkQR1) was studied under conditions of acute brain or kidney damage. A protective effect of this compound was demonstrated in a model of focal brain ischemia, rat kidney ischemia/reperfusion, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis, or crush syndrome), and pyelonephritis. We found that a single intraperitoneal injection of SkQR1 diminishes the size of the ischemic zone in the brain and improves performance of a test characterizing neurological deficit in ischemic animals. Control substance not containing plastoquinone appeared to be not neuroprotective. The data show that SkQR1 is a nephroprotectant and neuroprotectant, which can be due to the antioxidative action of this Skulachev cation.