Plasma CoQ10 Research Articles

The influence of atorvastatin, amlodipine and ethoxidol on ubiquinol and ubiquinone endogenous plasma concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure.

Coenzyme Q10 is a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and a fat-soluble endogenous antioxidant performing many vital functions in the human body. Many researchers studied the plasma concentrations of ubiquinol, ubiquinone, total CoQ10 and the redox state (ubiquinol/ubiquinone ratio) of CoQ10 in healthy volunteers. However, these parameters in the plasma of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) remain almost uninvestigated. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the effect of atorvastatin, amlodipine and ethoxidol on endogenous plasma concentrations of ubiquinol, ubiquinone, total CoQ10 and its redox state in patients with CHF. The study included 62 patients with CHF divided into four groups depending on the prescribed therapy. For the quantitative determination of ubiquinol, ubiquinone, and total CoQ10 in the plasma of patients, HPLC-MS/MS was used. It was established that the endogenous plasma concentration of total CoQ10 in patients with CHF is significantly lower than in healthy volunteers, and the ratio of reduced and oxidized forms of CoQ10 is shifted towards ubiquinone. It was a statistically significant effect of drugs with different physicochemical structures and pharmacological action on the plasma concentrations of ubiquinol, ubiquinone and total CoQ10: atorvastatin administration led to a decrease in the concentration of ubiquinol (-33.3Δ%), and total CoQ10 (-15Δ%), administration of amlodipine contributed to an increase in the levels of ubiquinol (+27.7Δ%) and total CoQ10 (+18.2Δ%), and the administration of ethoxidol caused an increase in the concentration of ubiquinol (+25Δ%), ubiquinone (+17.7Δ%) and total CoQ10 (+20.2Δ%). Amlodipine is able to neutralize the negative effect of atorvastin on the redox balance of CoQ10 in patients with CHF. An additional prescription of the antioxidant ethoxidol to standard therapy for patients with CHF was substantiated. Determination of the redox state of CoQ10 in plasma can be used to diagnose and assess the degree of oxidative stress in patients with cardiovascular diseases, as well as to assess the efficacy and safety of ongoing pharmacotherapy.

Technical Aspects of Coenzyme Q10 Analysis: Validation of a New HPLC-ED Method.

The biochemical measurement of the CoQ status in different tissues can be performed using HPLC with electrochemical detection (ED). Because the production of the electrochemical cells used with the Coulochem series detectors was discontinued, we aimed to standardize a new HPLC-ED method with new equipment. We report all technical aspects, troubleshooting and its performance in different biological samples, including plasma, skeletal muscle homogenates, urine and cultured skin fibroblasts. Analytical variables (intra- and inter-assay precision, linearity, analytical measurement range, limit of quantification, limit of detection and accuracy) were validated in calibrators and plasma samples and displayed adequate results. The comparison of the results of a new ERNDIM external quality control (EQC) scheme for the plasma CoQ determination between HPLC-ED (Lab 1) and LC-MS/MS (Lab 2) methods shows that the results of the latter were slightly higher in most cases, although a good consistency was generally observed. In conclusion, the new method reported here showed a good analytical performance. The global quality of the EQC scheme results among different participants can be improved with the contribution of more laboratories.

Women have higher levels of CoQ10 than men when supplemented with a single dose of CoQ10 with monoglycerides omega-3 or rice oil and followed for 48 h: a crossover randomised triple blind controlled study

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a lipid involved in ATP synthesis, exhibits very limited oral absorption, and its endogenous production decreases with ageing and with the occurrence of oxidative stress. Our group previously showed that monoglycerides omega-3 (MAG-OM3) increase OM3 plasma concentrations. Since CoQ10 is liposoluble, we hypothesised that its 48 h pharmacokinetics is higher when provided with MAG-OM3 compared to CoQ10 alone (in powder form) or added to rice oil (a neutral triacylglycerol oil). A randomised triple-blind crossover study was performed with fifteen men and fifteen women consuming the three supplements providing 200 mg of CoQ10 in a random order. Blood samples were collected before (t = 0) and 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 24 and 48 h after the supplement intake. Plasma total CoQ10 concentrations were analysed on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Participants were 26⋅1 ± 4⋅8 years old. When CoQ10 was provided with rice or MAG-OM3 oils, the 48 h area under the curve (AUC 0-48 h) was approximately two times higher compared to when provided without an oil. The delta max concentration (ΔC max) of plasma CoQ10 was, respectively, 2 (MAG-OM3) and 2⋅5 (rice oil) times higher compared to CoQ10 alone. There was a significant sex by treatment interaction (P = 0⋅0250) for the AUC 0-6 h supporting that in postprandial, men and women do not respond the same way to the different supplement. Women had a higher CoQ10 concentration 48 h after the single-dose intake compared to men. We conclude that CoQ10 supplements must be provided with lipids, and their kinetics is different between men and women.

Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Reduces Oxidative Stress in Patients with Pre-Eclampsia

Objective: To determine the effect of CoQ10 supplementation in reduction of oxidative stress by index marker, Malondialdehyde (MDA), super oxidase dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in patients with pre-eclampsia. 
 Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry LUMHS, Jamshoro. During the period of January 2018 to June 2018. Total 200 pregnant women were recruited and divided into two groups. 50 females were normotensive pregnant women as a control group, 150 were pre-eclamptic patients as case group. Obstetric history, clinical data was gathered and then 5ml of blood sample was collected from each patient. The blood samples were taken before and after a 3 months’ supplementation to analyse Malondialdehyde (MDA). The CoQ10 was evaluated by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) and MDA, SOD, CAT and GPx were performed on UV- spectrophotometer. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 22. Student t­test was used for analysed of continuous variables.
 Results: The pre-eclamptic women treated with CoQ10 supplementation the plasma CoQ10 levels and MDA, SOD and CAT levels increased marked after 3 months(p<0.001). But the Glutathione Peroxidase was insignificant results as compared with controls (p=0.057).
 Conclusion: The present study reflects that supplementation of CoQ10 decreased the oxidative stress and also helpful in improving the health of mother as well of her foetus by increase antioxidant activity.

The Use of Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular Diseases.

CoQ10 is an endogenous antioxidant produced in all cells that plays an essential role in energy metabolism and antioxidant protection. CoQ10 distribution is not uniform among different organs, and the highest concentration is observed in the heart, though its levels decrease with age. Advanced age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction triggered by oxidative stress that impairs mitochondrial bioenergetic and reduces NO bioavailability, thus affecting vasodilatation. The rationale of the use of CoQ10 in cardiovascular diseases is that the loss of contractile function due to an energy depletion status in the mitochondria and reduced levels of NO for vasodilatation has been associated with low endogenous CoQ10 levels. Clinical evidence shows that CoQ10 supplementation for prolonged periods is safe, well-tolerated and significantly increases the concentration of CoQ10 in plasma up to 3–5 µg/mL. CoQ10 supplementation reduces oxidative stress and mortality from cardiovascular causes and improves clinical outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, prevents the accumulation of oxLDL in arteries, decreases vascular stiffness and hypertension, improves endothelial dysfunction by reducing the source of ROS in the vascular system and increases the NO levels for vasodilation.

T58. EFFECTIVENESS OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED CO-ENZYME Q10 FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA: COGNITIVE, FUNCTIONAL AND BIOCHEMICAL OUTCOMES FROM A DOUBLE BLIND, RANDOMISED, PLACEBO CONTROLLED TRIAL

BackgroundCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenous compound that is essential for energy production within the mitochondria and also functions as a potent anti-oxidant, inhibiting oxidative stress and damage. Often deficits in CoQ10 are associated with fatigue, and cognitive and psychological impairment. In light of its many functions, CoQ10 supplementation to minimise decline and improve symptoms has been investigated in multiple disorders including neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, with results indicating positive effects on fatigue, cognitive impairment and affective difficulties for disorders such as bipolar disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome. There is also evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in schizophrenia. In light of this evidence, the current study aimed to investigate the potential effect of CoQ10 supplementation on 1) cognitive function and 2) psychological and physical health in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.MethodsA double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study was conducted to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation (300mg/day) on cognitive, psychological and physical variables in 70 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The effects of CoQ10 supplementation were compared to placebo at 3 and 6 months. Plasma CoQ10 was measured at all time points, along with measures of mitochondrial function (via plasma lactate concentration). Sensitivity analysis followed an intention to treat approach that used multiple imputations to account for missing values.ResultsOverall there was no effect of CoQ10 supplementation on cognitive outcome measures. This is despite observing an increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration in the CoQ10 group compared to the placebo. CoQ10 supplementation also had no effect on mitochondrial function, energy, psychological symptoms, quality of life, functional status, physical activity or blood pressure at either time point.DiscussionThere is considerable evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is present in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and this dysfunction is implicated in the manifestation of cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms. CoQ10 can be taken as a nutritional supplement with minimal side effects to target mitochondrial dysfunction via promoting ATP generation and increasing antioxidant capacity. However, we found no effect of CoQ10 supplementation on any variable under investigation. It is possible that CoQ10 might act as a protective agent against exacerbated oxidative stress in these patients, and future studies might be warranted to examine this possibility. However, the current data is conclusive that CoQ10 supplementation does not ameliorate existing deficits in schizophrenia. These findings are translatable to clinical and community settings.

Coenzyme q10 liquid supplementation in dyslipidemic subjects with statin-related clinical symptoms: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

IntroductionStatin-associated myalgia occurs in about 1–3% of patients in the medical literature. Plasma CoQ10 levels are reduced in patients undergoing statin.ObjectiveThe primary outcome was the detection of clinical symptoms and the perception of pain evaluated throughout specific questionnaires. The secondary outcome was the variation in lipid profile and the variation in safety parameters.MethodsWe enrolled 60 Caucasian patients, intolerant to statins. During the run-in period, patients underwent a 1-month wash-out period during which statins were stopped. At the end of the wash-out period, if CPK and/or transaminases returned within an acceptable range, statins were re-introduced at half of the previously taken dose. After one month, patients were randomized to take either a liquid CoQ10 supplement or a placebo for three months at 100 mg/day.ResultsThe Clinical Index Score for myalgia assessment was lower after 3 months with CoQ10, while it did not change with the placebo. The VAS score was lower after 3 months of CoQ10 supplementation, while no variation was recorded with the placebo. In the group treated with the dietary supplement, CoQ10 plasma concentrations were inversely correlated with CPK levels, Clinical Index Score absolute values, and VAS.ConclusionThe addition of CoQ10 with half dosage statin in patients with previous intolerance to statins improves the perception of clinical symptoms such as asthenia, myalgia or pain.

Ubiquinone Ameliorates Simvastatin Induced Respiratory Chain Complex Function Impairment in High‐Fat High‐Cholesterol Diet Fed Mice

Long‐term statins therapy is the primary treatment of hyperlipidemia. A ubiquinone (Co‐enzyme Q10, CoQ10) supplement ameliorates the statins side effects, including skeletal muscle and liver damage, whereas the mechanism involving respiratory chain complex function in a hyperlipidemia animal model remains unknown. Herein, it is reported that the administration of CoQ10 increases plasma CoQ10 level significantly without affecting the lipid lowering effects of statins in high‐fat high cholesterol diet fed mice. Compared with thr statins group, the combination therapy of CoQ10 and statin (Simva + CoQ10) reduces the activity enhancement of plasma CK, ALT, and AST, and restores the activity of complex I in skeletal muscle (2.7‐fold increased) and liver (42% increased). Moreover, the activities of complex II are increased in the muscle (29% increased) and liver (5.8‐folds increased) significantly. Statins decrease the total CoQ10 concentration in mitochondria, while Simva + CoQ10 restore the total CoQ10 concentration in mitochondria from muscle (41% increased) and liver (1.1‐folds increased), respectively. Therefore, administration of CoQ10 ameliorates the function loss of mitochondria respiratory chain complex induced by statins in muscle and liver are concluded.Practical Applications: Statins are widely used in clinical treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic diseases via inhibiting the synthesis of mevalonic acid to achieve the purpose of reducing endogenous cholesterol loading, to display anti‐inflammatory effects, and to stabilize the atherosclerotic plaques. However, the shortage of MVA may cause the low level of ubiquinone which subsequently leads to increasing various side effects, including muscle and liver damage. This study introduces a novel combined administration which could ameliorate the statins induced muscle and liver damage for hypercholesterolemia individuals. Moreover, the method shows a beneficial effect on mitochondrion integrity and functions in skeletal muscle and liver.Statin administration inhibits the 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoA‐R), which subsequently decreases the level of endogenous Co enzyme Q10 (CoQ). CoQ supplementation increases the level of CoQ in mitochondria, and ameliorates the function loss of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex induced by statins.

Tissue-Level Dynamics and Redox State of Coenzyme Q10 in Rats After Intravenous Injection of Ubiquinol

The ability of i.v. injected ubiquinol to influence the concentration and redox state of CoQ10 (concentration ratio of ubiquinol to total CoQ10) in rat tissues was evaluated. The ubiquinol and total CoQ10 contents before and for 8 d after i.v. administration of an aqueous solution (1%) of solubilized ubiquinol drug substance at a dose of 30 mg/kg were determined using HPLC with electrochemical detection. It was demonstrated for the first time that i.v. administration of ubiquinol did not affect the redox state in myocardium and brain and gradually increased it in liver, regardless of CoQ10 concentration changes in the organs. The ubiquinol fraction of the total CoQ10 content in blood plasma was constant for a minimum of 2 d after administration and was the highest of all studied tissues. The redox state of CoQ10 in plasma and organs differed because ubiquinol was partially oxidized to the level of the organ endogenous redox equilibrium during the transfer.

S83. THE IMPACT OF COENZYME Q10 ON THE COGNITIVE DEFICITS AND SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: PROTOCOL AND BASELINE DATA OF A RANDOMISED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

BackgroundCoQ10 is a vital component of mitochondrial function and metabolism, and its deficiency creates greater vulnerability to disease due to impaired mitochondrial energy generation and cellular antioxidant capacity. CoQ10 functions as an electron carrier within the mitochondrial electron transport chain during cellular respiration. Schizophrenia is a disorder with documented CoQ10 deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular respiration and mitochondrial network dynamics can be impaired due to altered complex 1 activity in the disorder. Key features of schizophrenia such as depression, fatigue and cognitive impairment have been independently associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. In bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis these symptoms have been effectively reduced through CoQ10 supplementation. We assess the impact of CoQ10 supplementation in individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia through a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.MethodsApproximately 300 participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, with no neurological or psychiatric co-morbidity will be recruited to this study. Participants will be randomised to take 100 mg dose capsules of CoQ10 or placebo three times daily for six months, and undergo neuropsychological and cognitive testing at three time points (baseline, midpoint, six months post-randomisation). Changes in participants’ global cognitive function, sustained attention, working memory, processing speed, negative symptoms, levels of depression and anxiety, fatigue, blood pressure, quality of life and functional status following CoQ10 supplementation will be assessed. Blood samples are also taken at each assessment session to assess baseline and changes in levels of plasma CoQ10 and mitochondrial function via lactate analysis.ResultsCurrently baseline data is available for 42 participants (mean age = 50.2, SD=10.7). All participants either have a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia (n=34) or schizoaffective disorder (n=8). The mean estimated IQ of the group is 92.4 (SD=20.5), and participants have a median of 13 years in education. Thirty-nine percent of participants reported mild to severe levels of depression and twenty-three percent reported moderate or severe levels of anxiety. Seventy-three percent of participants reported good to very good quality of life. FACIT-fatigue scores were negatively correlated with both depression and anxiety scores, such that greater fatigue levels were associated with higher levels of depression (r=-.484, p<0.01) and anxiety (r=-.539, p<0.01).DiscussionCoQ10 is a mitochondrial agent that plays a fundamental role in energy production and mitochondrial function. The available baseline data suggest a relationship between fatigue and depression and anxiety levels in individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. CoQ10 supplementation has the potential to affect these symptoms, through CoQ10’s ability to restore electron flow in the electron transfer chain and increase mitochondrial antioxidant capacity. The study commenced in November 2016 and patient enrolment and assessment is ongoing. Updated baseline information will be presented including further cognitive assessments. To minimise risk of bias while recruitment and assessments are ongoing, unblinding and outcome analysis will not be conducted at time of presentation.

P 228 - Green Rooibos Extract improves plasma lipid profile and oxidative status in diabetic non-human primates

Rooibos,a shrub-like leguminous bush endemic to South Africa, is traditionally used as a herbal tea. Unfermented (green) rooibos presents with a much higher polyphenol content, in particular aspalathin which constitutes a major metabolically bioactive compound. Recent studies, both in vitro and ex vivo, highlighted an enhanced glucose uptake effect of aspalathin, associated with increased GLUT 4 translocation to the plasma membrane via AMPK activation. In high fat fed mice, aspalathin also showed a plasma lipid lowering effect. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of 4 weeks of supplementation (90 mg/kg body weight t.i.d) with a pharmaceutical grade aspalathin-enriched green rooibos extract containing ca. 12.8% aspalathin, on gluco-lipidic and oxidative indexes in high fat diet-induceddiabetic and normal non-human primates (Chlorocebus aethiops). Diabetic models were characterized by glucose intolerance and increased total cholesterol and LDL. Moreover, decreased plasma CoQ10 and increased oxidative status were associated with higher levels of oxLDL. Green rooibos supplementation of the diabetic animals significantly improved all listed indices, highlighting the potentialities of this natural extract in modulating some risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease associated with type 2 diabetes.

P 174 - Placental and mitochondrial Q10 content after CoQ10 supplementation during pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia is a common disorder of human pregnancy (about 7% of all pregnancies) in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. In 2009, we demonstrated that supplementation with CoQ10 reduces significantly the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in women at risk for the condition. From these women, placental and mitochondrial Q10 levels, in women receiving either placebo or 200 mg CoQ10 daily were measured. Results showed that before supplementation, at week 20 of pregnancy, plasma CoQ10 levels showed no difference between the control (0.134±0.05 umol/l) and supplemented (0.139±0.06 umol/l) groups. Interestingly, at delivery, placental tissue showed no differences in the placebo group between women with normal pregnancy and those with preeclampsia; while in the Q10 group, women with preeclampsia showed significantly higher placental levels (0.31±0.20 ug/mg of protein) compared to normal pregnant women (0.18±0.08 ug/mg of protein; p=0.005). However, mitochondrial levels of Q10 in placenta from pregnant women with preeclampsia receiving placebo did not show differences compared to those receiving CoQ supplementation (0.82±0.41 vs. 0.77±0.42 ug/mg of protein). These results suggest that in women with preeclampsia, although CoQ10 reduced preeclampsia and increased its content in placental tissue, it is not able to increase the mitocondrial levels of CoQ10.

Investigation of ischemia modified albumin and coenzyme Q10 levels in obese children with metabolic syndrome

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to analyze serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and plasma CoQ10 levels and to evaluate their correlation with insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment, HOMA) and lipid profile in obese children with and without metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods Thirty-one obese with MS, 30 obese without MS and 34 healthy children aged 6–18 years were included in the study. Serum IMA was measured by colorimetric method, plasma CoQ10 levels were measured by HPLC. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin were analyzed. Results IMA levels were found to be significantly higher (p&lt;0.001) while the CoQ10 levels were significantly lower (p&lt;0.001) in obese children with and without MS compared to controls. IMA and CoQ10 significantly correlated with each other and metabolic parameters. Furthermore, IMA and CoQ10 levels did not significantly differ between obese children with and without MS, while glucose, insulin levels and HOMA were significantly higher (p&lt;0.001) in obese children with MS than obese without MS and controls. Conclusions Based on the high levels of IMA, low CoQ10 and association with HOMA and lipid profile; we suggest that obese children may have oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation and cardiometabolic risk.

Coenzyme Q10 dose-escalation study in hemodialysis patients: safety, tolerability, and effect on oxidative stress.

BackgroundCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation improves mitochondrial coupling of respiration to oxidative phosphorylation, decreases superoxide production in endothelial cells, and may improve functional cardiac capacity in patients with congestive heart failure. There are no studies evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of varying doses of CoQ10 in chronic hemodialysis patients, a population subject to increased oxidative stress.MethodsWe performed a dose escalation study to test the hypothesis that CoQ10 therapy is safe, well-tolerated, and improves biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy. Plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostanes and isofurans were measured to assess systemic oxidative stress and plasma CoQ10 concentrations were measured to determine dose, concentration and response relationships.ResultsFifteen of the 20 subjects completed the entire dose escalation sequence. Mean CoQ10 levels increased in a linear fashion from 704 ± 286 ng/mL at baseline to 4033 ± 1637 ng/mL, and plasma isofuran concentrations decreased from 141 ± 67.5 pg/mL at baseline to 72.2 ± 37.5 pg/mL at the completion of the study (P = 0.003 vs. baseline and P < 0.001 for the effect of dose escalation on isofurans). Plasma F2-isoprostane concentrations did not change during the study.ConclusionsCoQ10 supplementation at doses as high as 1800 mg per day was safe in all subjects and well-tolerated in most. Short-term daily CoQ10 supplementation decreased plasma isofuran concentrations in a dose dependent manner. CoQ10 supplementation may improve mitochondrial function and decrease oxidative stress in patients receiving hemodialysis.Trial RegistrationThis clinical trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov [NCT00908297] on May 21, 2009.

Hplc estimation of coenzyme Q(10) redox status in plasma after intravenous coenzyme Q(10) administration

The pharmacokinetics of the total pool of coenzyme Q(10) (Co(10)), its oxidized (ubiquinone) and reduced (ubiquinol, CoQ(10)H₂) forms have been investigated in rats plasma during 48 h after a single intravenous injection of a solution of solubilized CoQ(10) (10 mg/kg) to rats. Plasma levels of CoQ(10) were determined by HPLC with spectrophotometric and coulometric detection. In plasma samples taken during the first minutes after the CoQ(10) intravenous injection, the total pool of coenzyme Q(10) and proportion of CoQ(10)H₂ remained unchanged during two weeks of storage at -20°C. The kinetic curve of the total pool of coenzyme Q(10) corresponds to a one-part model (R² = 0.9932), while the corresponding curve of its oxidized form fits to the two-part model. During the first minutes after the injection a significant portion of plasma ubiquinone undergoes reduction, and after 7 h the concentration of ubiquinol predominates. The decrease in the total plasma coenzyme Q(10) content was accompanied by the gradual increase in plasma ubiquinol, which represented about 90% of total plasma CoQ(10) by the end of the first day. The results of this study demonstrate the ability of the organism to transform high concentrations of the oxidized form of CoQ(10) into the effective antioxidant (reduced) form and justify prospects of the development of parenteral dosage forms of CoQ(10) for the use in the treatment of acute pathological conditions.

Redox status and pharmacokinetics of coenzyme Q10 in rat plasma after its single intravenous administration

Q10 corresponds to a onecompartment model ( R 2 = 0.9932), while the corresponding curve of its oxidized form fits to the twocompartment model. During the fi rst minutes after the injection a significant portion of plasma ubiquinone undergoes reduction, and after 7 h the concentration of ubiquinol predominates. The decrease in total plasma coenzyme Q10 content was accompanied by the gradual increase in plasma ubiquinol, which represented about 90% of total plasma CoQ10 by the end of the first day. The results of this study demonstrate the ability of the organism to transform high concentrations of the oxidized form of CoQ10 into the effective antioxidant (reduced) form and justify prospects of the development of parenteral dosage forms of CoQ10 for the use in the treatment of acute pathological conditions.

Epicardial fat tissue thickness is correlated with diminished levels of co-enzyme Q10, a major antioxidant molecule among hemodialysis patients

ObjectivesAccelerated atherosclerosis is the major cause of mortality in patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is a new risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between plasma coenzyme Q10 levels (Co-Q10) which is a potent physiologic antioxidant and EFT thickness in HD patients. Design and methodsSeventy one chronic HD patients and 65 age and sex matched healthy individuals were included in the study. Plasma Co-Q10 levels were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements. EFT was measured by transthoracic echocardiograpy (TTE) performed with a VIVID 7 instrument. ResultsPlasma Co-Q10 levels (1.36±0.43 vs 2.53±0.55, p<0.001) were significantly lower in HD patients compared to controls. EFT was significantly increased in HD patients compared to healthy controls (6.53±1.01 vs. 5.79±1.06mm respectively, p<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that plasma Co-Q10 levels were inversely correlated with EFT (r=−0.263, p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to define independent determinants of EFT in HD patients. According to linear regression analysis, age, BMI, total cholesterol and Co-Q10 levels were found to be independent predictors of EFT (adjusted r2=0.38, p<0.001). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that EFT thickness was significantly higher among HD patients compared to healthy controls. In addition; this study was the first to demonstrate an inverse correlation between EFT thickness and Co-Q10 levels in this patient population.

Effects of dietary CoQ&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;10&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; and α-lipoic acid on CoQ&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;10&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; levels in plasma and tissues of eggs laying hens

In this paper we described the effect of administrated CoQ10, and alfa-lipoic acid on the concentration of total CoQ10 inplasma end body tissues of eggs laying hens. Organisms raise a complex network of enzymes, metabolites and molecules with antioxidant activities in order to prevent oxidative damage of theirs bodies. Adequate blood concentrations of small weight molecules ingested with food and food additives are important for the proper functioning of the antioxidant defense. To test this hypothesis we prepared following experiment. Forty weeks old hens were selected from two genotypes; Ross 308 broiler mothers and Lohmann breed hens. Animals were fed for a period of 84 days. Concentrations of supplemented CoQ10 and ALAwere calculated from feed instruction tables so each hen received an average of approximately 5 mg of CoQ10 and 50 mg ofALAper kg of animal weight per day. During the experiment blood samples were taken and at the end of the experiment different body tissues (heart, liver, breast, legs) were collected and analyzed with originally developed HPLC-MS/MS method based selective ionization with LiCl on MRM scanning. We found a number of interesting and unexpected results. Supplemented CoQ10 increased concentrations of coenzyme CoQ10 inplasma and different hen’s tissues. Increased concentration of CoQ10 is the result of its transfer with chylomicrons from the digestive tract to various organs of the body and to the liver where exogenous and endogenous CoQ10 has been re-redistributed through lipoproteins. Supplemented ALA caused much greater concentration of CoQ10 indifferent tissues and plasma then CoQ10. Plausible explanation of our results is such that ALA may regenerates the antioxidants and accelerate the formation of endogenous CoQ10 which is distributed with lipoprotein carriers and increases overall concentration of CoQ10. Our experiments definitely show that Lipoic acid beside glutathione promotes also a synthesis of CoQ10 and increases the total concentration especially in liver and heart tissues.

Determination of a method for extraction of coenzyme Q10 in human plasma: optimization of the use of surfactants and other variables

To establish a routine for the extraction of the total levels of CoQ10 in human plasma through the Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). Two extraction protocols were tested: a) methanol: hexane and b) 1-propanol. The following parameters were analyzed: extraction temperature (19ºC and 4ºC), extraction tubes (glass and polypropylene), and surfactants (SDS, Triton X-100, Tween-20) at different concentrations, i.e., 1%, 3%, 5% and 10%. The results showed that the method of extraction of CoQ10 in a sample of human plasma at 4ºC, using solvents methanol: hexane (85:15, v/v) in the presence of surfactant Tween-20 at 3% and polypropylene tubes showed better efficiency and reproducibility when compared to the method with 1-propanol. By the analyses performed, it was possible to observe that the addition of the surfactant Tween-20 promoted an increase in the recovery of CoQ10 by the methanol:hexane extraction method. This method showed good reproducibility, with a low coefficient of variation and high sensitivity, since CoQ10 was detected in samples of plasma of a control individual using a UV-type detector. The use of UHPLC equipment allowed a total analysis with total run time of 3.5 minutes, enabling the rapid achievement of results, considered mandatory for laboratory routines.

Plasma coenzyme Q 10 is increased during gestational diabetes

Objectives To determine plasma CoQ 10 concentration in the course of gestational diabetes mellitus. Study design The assessment was provided longitudinally during the third trimester of pregnancy in 40 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 40 normal controls. CoQ 10 was measured with the HPLC method. CoQ 10 results were also normalized to plasma cholesterol concentration (nmoles/mmoles). Plasma samples were collected longitudinally throughout the third trimester. Results No statistically significant difference of plasma CoQ 10/cholesterol levels between GDM patients and controls at 28–32 and 32–36 weeks of gestation, this difference was significant in late pregnancy (36–40 weeks), similarly, in the same gestational period, there was an increased level of HOMA-IR as index of insulin resistance ORAC as index of oxidative stress. Conclusions Since coenzyme Q 10 is believed to be an important cellular antioxidant defence, higher levels of CoQ 10 in GDM patients may be a compensatory mechanism, in response to an activated oxidative stress, probably associated to hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance.