Life Extension is a global authority on nutrition, health and wellness

as well as a provider of scientific information on anti-aging supplements and therapies. We supply only the highest quality nutritional supplements, including minerals, vitamins, herbs and hormones.

HOME

MEMBERSHIP

PRODUCTS

Access your account today: Login Learn about our membership benefits

Life Extension Final Clearance Sale - Shop Now

Page: 1 | 2 | 3

PDF

Table of Contents

LE Magazine August 2004

Innovative Research and Applications for CoQ10
By Kurt J. Samson

CoQ10 and the Brain
A study conducted by research-ers at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York found CoQ10 deficiency in the brains of 17 patients with cerebellar ataxia and/or atrophy, suggesting an ataxic syndrome responsive to therapy with the supplement.18 The scientists examined the distribution of CoQ10 in different brain regions in animals and in one human subject before and after administering CoQ10 supplements. In experimental rats, the lowest levels of CoQ10 were found in the cerebellum, but the relative proportion was similar in the blood, organs, and tissue.

In the human subject, daily supplementation with CoQ10 increased levels in the blood and liver, but CoQ10 levels in the brain remained low in four brain regions.

Nonetheless, the findings suggest “selective vulnerability” in the cerebellum to CoQ10 depletion and its protective mechanisms, according to Drs. Ali Naini and Salvatore DiMauro.

Macular Degeneration
In the journal Ophthalmologica, Dr. Janos Feher, a researcher at the University of Rome, Italy, reported that CoQ10 may improve retinal function in patients with age-related macular degeneration by improving the performance of mitochondria in the retinal pigment epithelium.19

Dr. Feher and associates treated 14 patients diagnosed with early age-related macular degeneration using a preparation that included CoQ10, acetyl-L-carnitine, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E. A matched control group received vitamin E alone. A number of tests were then performed at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months.

In patients receiving the CoQ10 mixture, all functions were slightly improved after three months and remained level throughout the two-year study period, while degeneration and visual function among participants in the control group continued to slowly decline.

Parkinson’s Disease
In a study of Parkinson’s disease patients, 360 mg a day of CoQ10 was administered for only four weeks, producing a mild symptomatic improvement compared to placebo. More important, an established clinical test to measure Parkinson’s symptom function showed significantly better improvement of performance in the CoQ10-supplemented patients compared with the placebo group.20

This new study helped to corroborate a report last year that Parkinson’s patients consuming 1200 mg a day of CoQ10 showed a 44% reduction in the decline of motor skills, movement, and mental function compared to the placebo group. Those receiving this high-dose CoQ10 also demonstrated an improved ability to perform daily living tasks. This 16-month study was remarkable in that CoQ10 slowed the progression of the disease, something that Parkinson’s drugs do not do.21

Conclusion
As the many studies outlined in this article show, biomedical researchers are discovering that CoQ10 shows promising effects against disorders as far-ranging as kidney failure, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, and macular degeneration. Despite the ever-growing number of clinical trials attempting to unlock CoQ10’s disease-preventing capabilities, widespread acceptance of CoQ10 by mainstream medical practitioners and federal health regulators continues to lag far behind the research findings. As larger and more varied studies of CoQ10 are undertaken and the results disseminated, the day when this critical nutrient gains the attention it deserves appears to be drawing ever nearer.

References

1. Singh RB, Kumar A. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with end-stage renal failure. J Nutr Environ Med. 2003;13(1):13-22.

2. Singh RB, Neki NS, Kartikey K, et al. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on risk of atherosclerosis in patients with recent myocardial infarction. Mol Cell Biochem. 2003 Apr;246(1-2):75-82.

3. Mortensen SA. Overview on coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in chronic heart fail ure. Rationale design and end-points of Q- symbiol” – multinational trial. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):79-89.

4. Kishimoto C, Tomioka N, Nakayama Y, Miyamoto M. Antioxidant effects of coenzyme Q10 on experimental myocarditis in mice. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2003 Nov;42(5):588-92.

5. Rosenfeldt F, Hilton D, Pepe S, Krum H. Systematic review of effect of coenzyme Q10 in physical exercise, hypertension and heart failure. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):91-100.

6. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):101-11.

7. Passi S, Stancato A, Aleo E, Dmitrieva A, Littarru GP. Statins lower plasma and lymphocyte ugiquinol/ubiquinone without affecting other antioxidants and PUFA. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):113-24.

8. Mortensen SA, Leth A, Agner E, Rohde M. Dose-related decrease of serum coenzyme Q10 during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med. 1997;18(suppl):S137-S144.

9. Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1990 Nov;87(22):8931-4.

10. Laise, E. The Lipitor dilemma. Smart Money. November, 2003.

11. Silver MA, Langsjoen PH, Szabo S, Patil H, Zelinger A. Statin cardiomyopathy? A potential role for Co-Enzyme Q10 therapy for statin-induced changes in diastolic LV performance: description of a clinical proto- col. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):125-7.

12. Pettit FH, Harper RF, Vilaythong J, Chu T, Shive W. Reversal of statin toxicity to human lymphocytes in tissue culture. Drug Metabol Drug Interact. 2003; 19(3):151-60.

13. Engelsen J, Neilsen JD, Hansen KF. Effect of coenzyme Q10 and ginkgo biloba on war- farin dosage in patients on long-term war- farin treatment. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Ugeskr Laeger. 2003 Apr 28;165(18):1868-71.

14. Migliore L, Molinu S, Naccarati A, Mancuso M, Rocchi A, Sicilano G. Evaluation of cyto-genetic and DNA damage in mitochondrial disease patients: effects of coenzyme Q10 therapy. Mutagenesis. 2004 Jan;19(1):43-9.

15. Quiles JL, Farquharson AJ, Ramirez-Tortosa MC, et al. Coenzyme Q10 differentially moderates phospholipid hydroperoxide glu- tathionate peroxidase gene expression and free radicals production in malignant and non-malignant prostate cancer. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):265-70.

16. Mancini A, Milardi D, Conte G, et al. Coenzyme Q10: another biochemical alteration linked to infertility in varicocele patients? Metabolism. 2003 Apr;52(4):402-6.

17. Teran E, Racines-Orbe, Vivero S, Escudero C, Molina G, Calle A. Preeclampsia is associated with a decrease in plasma coenzyme Q10 levels. Free Radic Biol Med. 2003 Dec 1;35(11):1453-6.

18. Naini A, Lewis VJ, Hirano M, Dimauro S. Primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency and the brain. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):145-52.

19. Feher J, Papale A, Mannino G, Gualdi L, Balacco Gabrielli C. Mitotropic compounds for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. The metabolic approach and a pilot study. Ophthalmol. 2003 Sept- Oct:217(5):351-7.

20. Muller T, Buttner T, Gholipour AF, Kuhn W. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation provides mild symptomatic benefit in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Neurosci Lett. 2003 May 8;341(3):201-4.

21. Shults CW, Oakes D, Kieburtz K, et al. Effects of coenzyme Q10 in early Parkinson disease: evidence of slowing of the function al decline. Arch Neurol. 2002 Oct;59(10):1541-50.

Better Business Bureau Accredited Business

Life Extension Royal Treatment Customer Service

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.