Effects of idebenone, a new therapeutic drug cerebrovascular disorders, on various cholinergic markers in brain of aged rats

The effects of idebenone upon various cholinergic markers, muscarinic receptors, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and choline uptake in the aged rat brain were examined. Administration of 30 mg/kg idebenone in daily p.o. for 4 weeks to aged rats significantly increased the apparent K(m) and V(max) values for AChE activity and significantly increased the apparent V(max) value compared with that of control aged rats. While administration of idebenone did not alter ³H-QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate) binding sites. The results suggest that the long-term treatment with idebenone enhances the CNS cholinergic neurons of aged rats.