Coenzyme Q10
Description
Coenzyme Q10 is an enzyme co-factor found in the mitochondria of the cells where cellular respiration and energy is produced.
Function
Coenzyme Q10 has several functions:
- Involved in electron transportation and production of energy in the mitochondria of the cells.
- Antioxidant involved in maintaining the integrity of the cellular membrane
- Helps in regenerating Vitamin E into its antioxidant form
- Essential for the good functioning of the myocardium (heart muscle)
Deficiency
Not well defined although recent evidence suggests that deficiency may lead to congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism and breast cancer.
Sources
Meat, fish and vegetable oils (particularly soybean, sesame, and rapeseed) are good sources. It is also synthesized by our cells but that capacity decreases significantly as we age. Coenzyme Q10 is also found in a number of food supplements.
Toxicity
Coenzyme Q10 may produce gastrointestinal discomfort in high doses above 200mg per day and supplements usually contain between 10 and 150mg. It is also interesting to know that high doses up to 600 and 1200mg have been prescribed for the treatment of angina and Parkinson’s disease.
Coenzyme Q10 may interfere with lowering cholesterol drugs or other drugs and it should not be used for treatment of known or suspected cardiovascular disease without medical supervision. You should also consult your doctor if you are taking other drugs.
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Scientific References
Books
Coenzyme Q supplementation and longevity. Alho H, Lonnrot K. In: Kagan VE, Quinn PJ,eds. Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001:371-380.
Dietary intake and absorption of coenzyme Q. Weber C. In: Kagan VE, Quinn PJ,eds. Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001:209-215.
Independent and concerted antioxidant functions of coenzyme Q. Kagan VE, Fabisak JP, Tyurina YY. In: Kagan VE, Quinn PJ,eds. Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001:119-130.
Mechanisms of antioxidant action of ubiquinol-10 for low-density lipoprotein. Thomas SR, Stocker R. In: Kagan VE, Quinn PJ,eds. Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001:131-150.
PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Hendler SS, Rorvik DR (eds). Montvale: Medical Economics Company, Inc; 2001.
The role of coenzyme Q in lysosomes. Nohl H, Gille L. In: Kagan VEQ, P. J. (ed). Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001:99-106.
Scientific articles
Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function. Biochim Biophys Acta. Ernster L, Dallner G. 1995;1271(1):195-204.
[Abstract]
Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. Crane FL. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(6):591-598.
[Abstract]
A case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy associated with a muscle coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Boitier E, Degoul F, Desguerre I, et al. J Neurol Sci. 1998;156(1):41-46.
[Abstract]
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 and remacemide in Huntington's disease. Neurology. 2001;57(3):397-404.
[Abstract]
Activities of vitamin Q10 in animal models and a serious deficiency in patients with cancer. Folkers K, Osterborg A, Nylander M, Morita M, Mellstedt H. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997;234(2):296-299.
[Abstract]
Altered redox state of platelet coenzyme Q10 in Parkinson's disease. Gotz ME, Gerstner A, Harth R, et al. J Neural Transm. 2000;107(1):41-48.
[Abstract]
Anti-atherogenic effect of coenzyme Q10 in apolipoprotein E gene knockout mice. Witting PK, Pettersson K, Letters J, Stocker R. Free Radic Biol Med. 2000;29(3-4):295-305.
[Abstract]
Antioxidant treatment of patients with Friedreich ataxia: four-year follow-up. Hart PE, Lodi R, Rajagopalan B, et al. Arch Neurol. 2005;62(4):621-626.
[Abstract]
Antioxidant treatment improves in vivo cardiac and skeletal muscle bioenergetics in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Lodi R, Hart PE, Rajagopalan B, et al. Ann Neurol. 2001;49(5):590-596.
[Abstract]
Atherosclerosis--an inflammatory disease. Ross R. N Engl J Med. 1999;340(2):115-126.
[Abstract]
beta2-Integrin and lipid modifications indicate a non-antioxidant mechanism for the anti-atherogenic effect of dietary coenzyme Q10. Turunen M, Wehlin L, Sjoberg M, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002;296(2):255-260.
[Abstract]
Biochemical rationale and myocardial tissue data on the effective therapy of cardiomyopathy with coenzyme Q10. Folkers K, Vadhanavikit S, Mortensen SA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985;82(3):901-904.
[Abstract]
Chronology of behavioral symptoms and neuropathological sequela in R6/2 Huntington's disease transgenic mice. Stack EC, Kubilus JK, Smith K, et al. J Comp Neurol. 2005;490(4):354-370.
[Abstract]
Clinical implications of the correlation between coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B6 status. Willis R, Anthony M, Sun L, Honse Y, Qiao G. Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):359-363.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q improves LDL resistance to ex vivo oxidation but does not enhance endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic young adults. Raitakari OT, McCredie RJ, Witting P, et al. Free Radic Biol Med. 2000;28(7):1100-1105.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q(10) improves endothelial dysfunction of the brachial artery in Type II diabetes mellitus. Watts GF, Playford DA, Croft KD, Ward NC, Mori TA, Burke V. Diabetologia. 2002;45(3):420-426.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects. Matthews RT, Yang L, Browne S, Baik M, Beal MF. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95(15):8892-8897.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 and differences in coronary heart disease risk in Asian Indians and Chinese. Hughes K, Lee BL, Feng X, Lee J, Ong CN. Free Radic Biol Med. 2002;32(2):132-138.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 and exercise training in chronic heart failure. Belardinelli R, Mucaj A, Lacalaprice F, et al. Eur Heart J. 2006.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 and remacemide hydrochloride ameliorate motor deficits in a Huntington's disease transgenic mouse model. Schilling G, Coonfield ML, Ross CA, Borchelt DR. Neurosci Lett. 2001;315(3):149-153.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 as a possible treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Beal MF. Free Radic Res. 2002;36(4):455-460.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 improves contractility of dysfunctional myocardium in chronic heart failure. Belardinelli R, Mucaj A, Lacalaprice F, et al. Biofactors. 2005;25(1-4):137-145.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease. Overvad K, Diamant B, Holm L, Holmer G, Mortensen SA, Stender S. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999;53(10):764-770.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 in the diet--daily intake and relative bioavailability. Weber C, Bysted A, Holmer G. Mol Aspects Med. 1997;18 Suppl:S251-254.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 levels correlate with the activities of complexes I and II/III in mitochondria from parkinsonian and nonparkinsonian subjects. Shults CW, Haas RH, Passov D, Beal MF. Ann Neurol. 1997;42(2):261-264.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation and recovery from ischemia in senescent rat myocardium. Lonnrot K, Tolvanen JP, Porsti I, Ahola T, Hervonen A, Alho H. Life Sci. 1999;64(5):315-323.
[Abstract]
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation provides mild symptomatic benefit in patients with Parkinson's disease. Muller T, Buttner T, Gholipour AF, Kuhn W. Neurosci Lett. 2003;341(3):201-204.
[Abstract]
Coenzymes Q9 and Q10: Contents in foods and dietary intake. Mattila P, Kumpulainen J. J Food Comp Anal. 2001;14(4):409-417.
Combination therapy using minocycline and coenzyme Q10 in R6/2 transgenic Huntington's disease mice. Stack EC, Smith KM, Ryu H, et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006;1762(3):373-380.
[Abstract]
CoQ10: could it have a role in cancer management? Hodges S, Hertz N, Lockwood K, Lister R. Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):365-370.
[Abstract]
Decreases in serum ubiquinone concentrations do not result in reduced levels in muscle tissue during short-term simvastatin treatment in humans. Laaksonen R, Jokelainen K, Sahi T, Tikkanen MJ, Himberg JJ. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1995;57(1):62-66.
[Abstract]
Dietary coenzyme Q(10) supplement renders swine hearts resistant to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Maulik N, Yoshida T, Engelman RM, Bagchi D, Otani H, Das DK. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2000;278(4):H1084-1090.
[Abstract]
Dietary cosupplementation with vitamin E and coenzyme Q(10) inhibits atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E gene knockout mice. Thomas SR, Leichtweis SB, Pettersson K, et al. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001;21(4):585-593.
[Abstract]
Dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q10 results in increased levels of ubiquinol-10 within circulating lipoproteins and increased resistance of human low-density lipoprotein to the initiation of lipid peroxidation. Mohr D, Bowry VW, Stocker R. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1992;1126(3):247-254.
[Abstract]
Does exogenous coenzyme Q10 affect aerobic capacity in endurance athletes? Weston SB, Zhou S, Weatherby RP, Robson SJ. Int J Sport Nutr. 1997;7(3):197-206.
[Abstract]
Effect of coenzyme Q10 intake on endogenous coenzyme Q content, mitochondrial electron transport chain, antioxidative defenses, and life span of mice. Sohal RS, Kamzalov S, Sumien N, et al. Free Radic Biol Med. 2006;40(3):480-487.
[Abstract]
Effect of hydrosoluble coenzyme Q10 on blood pressures and insulin resistance in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Rastogi SS, Shukla PK, Thakur AS. J Hum Hypertens. 1999;13(3):203-208.
[Abstract]
Effect of Q10 supplementation on tissue Q10 levels and adenine nucleotide catabolism during high-intensity exercise. Svensson M, Malm C, Tonkonogi M, Ekblom B, Sjodin B, Sahlin K. Int J Sport Nutr. 1999;9(2):166-180.
[Abstract]
Effect of ubidecarenone oral treatment on aerobic power in middle-aged trained subjects. Bonetti A, Solito F, Carmosino G, Bargossi AM, Fiorella PL. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2000;40(1):51-57.
[Abstract]
Effect on absorption and oxidative stress of different oral Coenzyme Q10 dosages and intake strategy in healthy men. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Kumar A, Sindberg CD, Moesgaard S, Littarru GP. Biofactors. 2005;25(1-4):219-224.
[Abstract]
Effects of coenzyme q10 in early Parkinson disease: evidence of slowing of the functional decline. Shults CW, Oakes D, Kieburtz K, et al. Arch Neurol. 2002;59(10):1541-1550.
[Abstract]
Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on exercise performance, VO2max, and lipid peroxidation in trained cyclists. Braun B, Clarkson PM, Freedson PS, Kohl RL. Int J Sport Nutr. 1991;1(4):353-365.
[Abstract]
Effects of pravastatin and cholestyramine on products of the mevalonate pathway in familial hypercholesterolemia. Elmberger PG, Kalen A, Lund E, et al. J Lipid Res. 1991;32(6):935-940.
[Abstract]
Effects of short-term supplementation with coenzyme Q10 on myocardial protection during cardiac operations. Taggart DP, Jenkins M, Hooper J, et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;61(3):829-833.
[Abstract]
Effects of simvastatin on blood lipids, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 levels and left ventricular function in humans. Colquhoun DM, Jackson R, Walters M, et al. Eur J Clin Invest. 2005;35(4):251-258.
[Abstract]
Effects of ubiquinone-10 supplementation and high intensity training on physical performance in humans. Malm C, Svensson M, Ekblom B, Sjodin B. Acta Physiol Scand. 1997;161(3):379-384.
[Abstract]
Energy metabolism defects in Huntington's disease and effects of coenzyme Q10. Koroshetz WJ, Jenkins BG, Rosen BR, Beal MF. Ann Neurol. 1997;41(2):160-165.
[Abstract]
Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, et al. J Clin Pharmacol. 1993;33(3):226-229.
[Abstract]
Exogenous CoQ10 preserves plasma ubiquinone levels in patients treated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Bargossi AM, Battino M, Gaddi A, et al. Int J Clin Lab Res. 1994;24(3):171-176.
[Abstract]
Friedreich's Ataxia: disease mechanisms, antioxidant and Coenzyme Q10 therapy. Cooper JM, Schapira AH. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):163-171.
[Abstract]
Friedreich's ataxia: from disease mechanisms to therapeutic interventions. Lodi R, Tonon C, Calabrese V, Schapira AH. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2006;8(3-4):438-443.
[Abstract]
Impact of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) treatment on glycaemic control, insulin requirement and well-being in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Henriksen JE, Andersen CB, Hother-Nielsen O, Vaag A, Mortensen SA, Beck-Nielsen H. Diabet Med. 1999;16(4):312-318.
[Abstract]
Influence of coenzyme Q(10) and cerivastatin on the flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery: results of the ENDOTACT Kuettner A, Pieper A, Koch J, Enzmann F, Schroeder S. study. Int J Cardiol. 2005;98(3):413-419.
[Abstract]
Life-long supplementation with a low dosage of coenzyme Q10 in the rat: effects on antioxidant status and DNA damage. Quiles JL, Ochoa JJ, Battino M, et al. Biofactors. 2005;25(1-4):73-86.
[Abstract]
Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990;87(22):8931-8934.
[Abstract]
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Jellin JM. Therapeutic Research Faculty
Overview of the use of CoQ10 in cardiovascular disease. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):273-284.
[Abstract]
Pilot trial of high dosages of coenzyme Q10 in patients with Parkinson's disease. Shults CW, Flint Beal M, Song D, Fontaine D. Exp Neurol. 2004;188(2):491-494.
[Abstract]
Plasma coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) concentrations in patients treated with simvastatin. Watts GF, Castelluccio C, Rice-Evans C, Taub NA, Baum H, Quinn PJ. J Clin Pathol. 1993;46(11):1055-1057.
[Abstract]
Plasma ubiquinol/cholesterol ratios in patients with hyperlipidaemia, those with diabetes mellitus and in patients requiring dialysis. McDonnell MG, Archbold GP. Clin Chim Acta. 1996;253(1-2):117-126.
[Abstract]
Quinone-responsive multiple respiratory-chain dysfunction due to widespread coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Rotig A, Appelkvist EL, Geromel V, et al. Lancet. 2000;356(9227):391-395.
[Abstract]
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension. Burke BE, Neuenschwander R, Olson RD. South Med J. 2001;94(11):1112-1117.
[Abstract]
Reduction of serum ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 levels by atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemic patients. Mabuchi H, Higashikata T, Kawashiri M, et al. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2005;12(2):111-119.
[Abstract]
Role of coenzyme Q10 in chronic heart failure, angina, and hypertension. Tran MT, Mitchell TM, Kennedy DT, Giles JT. Pharmacotherapy. 2001;21(7):797-806.
[Abstract]
Serum ubiquinone concentrations after short- and long-term treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Laaksonen R, Ojala JP, Tikkanen MJ, Himberg JJ. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1994;46(4):313-317.
[Abstract]
The distribution and content of ubiquinone in foods. Kamei M, Fujita T, Kanbe T, et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1986;56(1):57-63.
[Abstract]
The effect of coenzyme Q10 administration on metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eriksson JG, Forsen TJ, Mortensen SA, Rohde M. Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):315-318.
[Abstract]
The effect of coenzyme Q10 in patients with congestive heart failure. Khatta M, Alexander BS, Krichten CM, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132(8):636-640.
[Abstract]
The effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on coenzyme Q10: possible biochemical/clinical implications. Hargreaves IP, Duncan AJ, Heales SJ, Land JM. Drug Saf. 2005;28(8):659-676.
[Abstract]
The effect of oral coenzyme Q10 on the exercise tolerance of middle-aged, untrained men. Porter DA, Costill DL, Zachwieja JJ, et al. Int J Sports Med. 1995;16(7):421-427.
[Abstract]
The effect of simvastatin treatment on natural antioxidants in low-density lipoproteins and high-energy phosphates and ubiquinone in skeletal muscle. Laaksonen R, Jokelainen K, Laakso J, et al. Am J Cardiol. 1996;77(10):851-854.
[Abstract]
The effects of ageing on the response to cardiac surgery: protective strategies for the ageing myocardium. Rosenfeldt FL, Pepe S, Linnane A, et al. Biogerontology. 2002;3(1-2):37-40.
[Abstract]
The effects of coenzyme Q10 treatment on maternally inherited diabetes mellitus and deafness, and mitochondrial DNA 3243 (A to G) mutation. SSuzuki S, Hinokio Y, Ohtomo M, et al. Diabetologia. 1998;41(5):584-588.
[Abstract]
The effects of lifelong ubiquinone Q10 supplementation on the Q9 and Q10 tissue concentrations and life span of male rats and mice. Lonnrot K, Holm P, Lagerstedt A, Huhtala H, Alho H. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1998;44(4):727-737.
[Abstract]
Therapeutic effects of coenzyme Q10 and remacemide in transgenic mouse models of Huntington's disease. Ferrante RJ, Andreassen OA, Dedeoglu A, et al. J Neurosci. 2002;22(5):1592-1599.
[Abstract]
Ubiquinone supplementation and exercise capacity in trained young and older men. Laaksonen R, Fogelholm M, Himberg JJ, Laakso J, Salorinne Y. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1995;72(1-2):95-100.
[Abstract]
Uptake of dietary coenzyme Q supplement is limited in rats. Zhang Y, Aberg F, Appelkvist EL, Dallner G, Ernster L. J Nutr. 1995;125(3):446-453.
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