MitoQ and kidney safety

In 2018, an independent paper was published suggesting that MitoQ® Mitoquinol may cause mitochondrial swelling and depolarization in kidney tissue. 

Since then, additional research including human clinical studies has provided further evidence supporting the safety profile of MitoQ® Mitoquinol and its potential role in kidney health. 

Read: Scientists confirm safety of MitoQ and kidney health 

Both independent researchers and the science team at MitoQ thoroughly evaluated the original study and concluded that the findings were the result of experimental MitoQ® Mitoquinol administration in a highly specific laboratory setting, and do not reflect how MitoQ® Mitoquinol behaves when taken as a dietary supplement. 

The study was conducted in isolated cells (individual animal cells removed from tissue and cultured) rather than within a functioning kidney in a living organism. In addition, MitoQ® Mitoquinol was administered at concentrations many times higher than those achieved through recommended supplementation. 

The recommended daily dose of MitoQ® Mitoquinol is 10–20 mg per day, and MitoQ® Mitoquinol has been studied at doses of up to 80 mg per day for up to one year with an excellent safety profile. The kidney study in question exposed cells to MitoQ® Mitoquinol concentrations that were substantially higher than would ever be expected to reach kidney tissue following normal oral supplementation. 

To put this into perspective, many substances (including everyday nutrients) can produce adverse effects when cells are exposed to unnaturally high concentrations in a laboratory environment. These findings cannot automatically be related to real-world human use. 

What have we learned since 2018? 

Since publication of the original paper, researchers have conducted additional studies to better understand the relationship between MitoQ® Mitoquinol and kidney function. 

Most notably, a clinical safety study presented at the 2022 Experimental Biology conference examined the effects of acute high-dose MitoQ® Mitoquinol supplementation on kidney function in healthy adults. Participants received doses of 100–160 mg of MitoQ® Mitoquinol (note: this is equivalent to approximately 10 times the typical daily amount). 

Researchers assessed a range of kidney injury biomarkers, alongside traditional measures of kidney function such as creatinine clearance. The study found no evidence of kidney injury in participants receiving high-dose MitoQ® Mitoquinol compared with placebo. Importantly, even at these unusually high doses, all kidney function measures remained within normal healthy ranges. 

These findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting the safety of MitoQ® Mitoquinol and help address concerns raised by earlier laboratory-based studies. 

Ongoing research into kidney health 

For almost two decades, MitoQ® Mitoquinol has been extensively evaluated in preclinical and clinical research. In addition to demonstrating a strong safety profile, several studies have investigated its potential role in supporting healthy kidney function and protecting kidney tissue under conditions of oxidative stress. 

MitoQ® Mitoquinol has also been evaluated in clinical trials involving people with chronic kidney disease. These studies have helped expand our understanding of how targeted mitochondrial support may contribute to kidney health and aging-related wellbeing. 

As always, we welcome ongoing independent research and remain committed to monitoring and sharing new scientific findings as they emerge.