Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) plays a central role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Several studies have shown the beneficial effects of dietary CoQ10 supplementation, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health. CoQ10 biosynthesis decreases in the elderly, and consequently, the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation in this population are of greater significance. However, most pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted on younger populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the single-dose bioavailability of different formulations of CoQ10 in a healthy geriatric population. A randomized, three-period, crossover bioavailability study was conducted on 21 healthy older adults (aged 65–74). The treatment was a single dose with a one-week washout period. Three different formulations containing the equivalent of 100 mg of CoQ10 were used: Q10Vital® water-soluble CoQ10 syrup (the investigational product—IP); ubiquinol capsules (the comparative product—CP); and ubiquinone capsules (the standard product—SP). Ubiquinone/ubiquinol was followed in the plasma for 48 h. An analysis of the ratio of the area under the baseline-corrected concentration curve (ΔAUC48) for total CoQ10 and a comparison to SP yielded the following: The bioavailability of CoQ10 in the IP was 2.4-fold higher (95% CI: 1.3–4.5; p = 0.002), while the bioavailability of ubiquinol (CP) was not significantly increased (1.7-fold; 95% CI: 0.9–3.1, p = 0.129). No differences in the redox status of the absorbed coenzyme Q10 were observed between formulations, showing that CoQ10 appeared in the blood mostly as ubiquinol, even if consumed as ubiquinone.
Highlights
IntroductionCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a highly lipophilic molecule that is naturally present in all membranes of human cells [1], where it plays a central role in the oxidative phosphorylation process
An analysis of the ratio of the area under the baseline-corrected concentration curve (∆AUC48 ) for total Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and a comparison to Standard product (SP) yielded the following: The bioavailability of CoQ10 in the Investigational product (IP) was 2.4-fold higher, while the bioavailability of ubiquinol (CP) was not significantly increased (1.7-fold; 95% CI: 0.9–3.1, p = 0.129)
No differences in the redox status of the absorbed coenzyme Q10 were observed between formulations, showing that CoQ10 appeared in the blood mostly as ubiquinol, even if consumed as ubiquinone
Summary
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a highly lipophilic molecule that is naturally present in all membranes of human cells [1], where it plays a central role in the oxidative phosphorylation process. It is a carrier of electrons from complexes I and II to complex III, supporting the conversion of energy from carbohydrates and fatty acids into the energy-rich adenosine triphosphate [2]. In the body, it is biosynthesized from mevalonate (one of its key precursors), but there is evidence that the efficiency of this biosynthesis progressively decreases with age [1]. A number of foods provide an exogenous source of CoQ10, but its usual daily presence in people’s diets in Western countries is only 3–5 mg [3].
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