Mutagenicity of coenzyme Q10

Mutagenicity of organically synthesized coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was determined by Ames assay in the presence and absence of S9 mix. The tester strains were Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2 uvr A. CoQ10 displayed no mutagenicity in any tester strain at any dose tested. Therefore, organically synthesized CoQ10 was considered to possess no mutagenicity.     

辅酶Q10在免疫调节中的作用

目的:研究辅酶Q10对小鼠免疫调节功能的影响,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法:从细胞免疫、体液免疫、单核-巨噬细胞吞噬作用及自然杀伤细胞的攻击作用四方面观察辅酶Q10对小鼠免疫功能的影响。结果:与阴性对照组(蒸馏水)和溶剂对照组(植物油)比较,辅酶Q10 8.0、12.0和24.0 mg/kg.BW剂量组均能提高ConA诱导的小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖能力;4.0、8.0和12.0 mg/kg.BW剂量组均能增加小鼠左后足跖部厚度差24 h测量值;12.0和24.0 mg/kg.BW剂量组均能提高小鼠溶血空斑数;4.0、8.0、12.0和24.0 mg/kg.BW剂量组均能提高小鼠NK细胞活性及小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞的吞噬率;12.0 mg/kg.BW剂量组能提高小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞的吞噬指数。结论:辅酶Q10具有增强小鼠免疫力作用,其作用机制可能与辅酶Q10能激活NK细胞、T细胞、巨噬细胞功能及清除氧自由基、稳定膜电位等有关。     

Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigue

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 administration on physical fatigue. METHODS: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three crossover design, 17 healthy volunteers were randomized to oral coenzyme Q10 (100 or 300 mg/d) or placebo administration for 8 d. As a fatigue-inducing physical task, subjects performed workload trials on a bicycle ergometer at fixed workloads twice for 2 h and then rested for 4 h. During the physical tasks, subjects performed non-workload trials with maximum velocity for 10 s at 30 min (30-min trial) after the start of physical tasks and 30 min before the end of the tasks (210-min trial). RESULTS: The change in maximum velocity from the 30- to the 210-min trial in the 300-mg coenzyme Q10-administered group was higher than that in the placebo group. In addition, subjective fatigue sensation measured on a visual analog scale in the 300-mg coenzyme Q10-administered group after the fatigue-inducing physical task and recovery period was alleviated when compared with that in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 improved subjective fatigue sensation and physical performance during fatigue-inducing workload trials and might prevent unfavorable conditions as a result of physical fatigue.     

Clinical aspects of coenzyme Q10: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Coenzyme Q10 is administered for an ever-widening range of disorders, therefore it is timely to illustrate the latest findings with special emphasis on areas in which this therapeutic approach is completely new. These findings also give further insight into the biochemical mechanisms underlying clinical involvement of coenzyme Q10. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiovascular properties of coenzyme Q10 have been further addressed, namely regarding myocardial protection during cardiac surgery, end-stage heart failure, pediatric cardiomyopathy and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The vascular aspects of coenzyme Q10 addressing the important field of endothelial function are briefly examined. The controversial issue of the statin/coenzyme Q10 relationship has been investigated in preliminary studies in which the two substances were administered simultaneously. Work on different neurological diseases, involving mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, highlights some of the neuroprotective mechanisms of coenzyme Q10. A 4-year follow-up on 10 Friedreich's Ataxia patients treated with coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E showed a substantial improvement in cardiac and skeletal muscle bioenergetics and heart function. Mitochondrial dysfunction likely plays a role in the pathophysiology of migraine as well as age-related macular degeneration and a therapy including coenzyme Q10 produced significant improvement. Finally, the effect of coenzyme Q10 was evaluated in the treatment of asthenozoospermia. SUMMARY: The latest findings highlight the beneficial role of coenzyme Q10 as coadjuvant in the treatment of syndromes, characterized by impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics and increased oxidative stress, which have a high social impact. Besides their clinical significance, these data give further insight into the biochemical mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 activity.     

Clinical aspects of coenzyme Q10: An update

The fundamental role of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its well-acknowledged antioxidant properties constitute the basis for its clinical applications, although some of its effects may be related to a gene induction mechanism. Cardiovascular disease is still the main field of study and the latest findings confirm a role of CoQ₁₀ in improving endothelial function. The possible relation between CoQ₁₀ deficiency and statin side effects is highly debated, particularly the key issue of whether CoQ₁₀ supplementation counteracts statin myalgias. Furthermore, in cardiac patients, plasma CoQ₁₀ was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. Studies on CoQ₁₀ and physical exercise have confirmed its effect in improving subjective fatigue sensation and physical performance and in opposing exercise-related damage. In the field of mitochondrial myopathies, primary CoQ₁₀ deficiencies have been identified, involving different genes of the CoQ₁₀ biosynthetic pathway; some of these conditions were found to be highly responsive to CoQ₁₀ administration. The initial observations of CoQ₁₀ effects in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases have been extended to Friedreich's ataxia, where CoQ₁₀ and other quinones have been tested. CoQ₁₀ is presently being used in a large phase III trial in Parkinson's disease. CoQ₁₀ has been found to improve sperm count and motility on asthenozoospermia. Moreover, for the first time CoQ₁₀ was found to decrease the incidence of preeclampsia in pregnancy. The ability of CoQ₁₀ to mitigate headache symptoms in adults was also verified in pediatric and adolescent populations.     

两种辅酶Q10制剂生物学活性比较

目的：研究两种辅酶Q10制剂对老龄小鼠混合功能氧化酶及高脂血症大鼠血脂水平的影响。方法：老龄小鼠随机分为正常对照组、辅酶Q10软胶囊组和辅酶Q10咀嚼片组（剂量均为60.0 mg/kg.BW,以辅酶Q10含量计）;将SD雄性高血脂模型大鼠随机分为模型对照组、辅酶Q10软胶囊组和辅酶Q10咀嚼片组（剂量均为60.0 mg/kg.BW,以辅酶Q10含量计）;实验结束后测老龄小鼠血中丙二醛（MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）的活力及高脂血症大鼠血清中总胆固醇（TC）含量、甘油三脂（TG）含量和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平。结果：与正常老龄小鼠对照组比较,辅酶Q10软胶囊组和辅酶Q10咀嚼片组均能显著提高老龄小鼠血中的SOD活性,明显降低MDA含量,辅酶Q10咀嚼片组对MDA的清除能力比辅酶Q10软胶囊组更强;与高血脂模型对照组比较,辅酶Q10软胶囊组和辅酶Q10咀嚼片组均能明显降低高脂血症大鼠血清TG和TC含量,但两种制剂辅酶Q10的降血脂效果无显著性差异。结论：两种辅酶Q10制剂在剂量为60.0 mg/kg.BW时均具有对抗老龄小鼠脂质过氧化和降低高脂血症大鼠的血脂水平的能力,且辅酶Q10咀嚼片组在抗氧化作用及对免疫器官的保护作用方面比辅酶Q10软胶囊组效果更为明显。     

Redox levels of intravenously administered [14C]coenzyme Q10 and coenzyme Q10-reducing activity in subcellular fractions of guinea pig liver

The blood level of [14C]coenzyme Q10 and the redox levels of [14C]coenzyme Q10 in the liver and heart were measured after intravenous injection of [14C]coenzyme Q10 solubilized in multilamellar liposomes into guinea pigs. The blood level of radioactivity declined biexponentially with half-lives of 11.5 min and 15.6 h in the first and second phases, respectively. The levels of reduced [14C]coenzyme Q10 in the liver and heart reached 55.8 and 46.4%, respectively, of the labeled compound in the tissues at 30 min after the injection. Coenzyme Q10-reducing activity in cytosol, microsomes and mitochondria was also investigated. This activity was found in all the fractions. The total activity was the highest in the liver cytosol. Moreover, the results of experiments using a purified enzyme suggested that one of the coenzyme Q10-reducing enzymes was NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase [EC 1.6.99.2, DT-diaphorase]. These results are discussed in relation to the protective effect of reduced coenzyme Q10 against lipid peroxidation in membranes.     

Effects of oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation on sodium nitrite-induced lipid peroxidation in rats.

Studies were carried out to examine the anti-oxidative effect(s) of oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation (10 mg/kg b.w./day) in rats treated per os with either sodium nitrite (10 mg/kg b.w./day) or saline (control) for 14 days. Results showed that sodium nitrite increases thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances (TBARS in rat small intestinal mucosa and liver, and the agent did not have any effect(s) on the total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and lipid peroxidation of rat blood. Pretreatment of nitrite-poisoned rats with coenzyme Q10 mitigated TBARS and increased TAS in animal blood. Coenzyme Q10 has been found to be a promising anti-oxidant agent in sodium nitrite-induced lipid peroxidation.     

Comparison of the relative bioavailability of different coenzyme Q10 formulations with a novel solubilizate (Solu Q10)

The relative bioavailability of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is markedly influenced by its delivery systems. The aim of this study was to compare four standard CoQ10 supplements available on the market with a novel solubilizate formulation of CoQ10 (Solu Q10). Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed in 54 healthy volunteers after single and multiple intakes of 60 mg CoQ10 over a time period of 14 days. Solubilizates showed earlier flooding compared with oily dispersions and crystalline CoQ10, resulting in significantly elevated area under the curve between 0 and 4 h (P<0.01 solubilizates versus crystalline). The difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters of maximum plasma concentration, time to reach the peak plasma concentration and area under the curve between 0 and 12 h was not statistically significant between formulations. Long-term supplementation resulted in significantly higher plasma levels (P<0.01) for all formulations, with Solu Q10 performing best. Intracellular CoQ10 levels measured in buccal mucosa cells were increased (P<0.05) in response to supplementation when starting within the physiological range. In summary, solubilizates were clearly superior to oily dispersions and crystalline CoQ10 in their overall bioavailability, with the best absorption characteristics seen for the novel Solu Q10 solubilizate.     

Increase of bioavailability of coenzyme Q(10) and vitamin E

Commercial coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) formulations often show poor intestinal absorption. Delivery of CoQ(10) and vitamin E was enhanced when used with a new formulation, NanoSolve (Lipoid GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany), as shown by an open, comparative monocenter, crossover study of 24 volunteers. Plasma CoQ(10) and vitamin E were determined from predose until +14 hours. To compare bioavailability, corrected maximum concentration, time to reach maximum concentration, and area under the curve from 0 to 14 hours were assessed. The NanoSolve test formulation contained 100 mg of CoQ(10) and 120 mg of vitamin E. The pure substances in hard gelatin capsules served as the reference. Although identical amounts of CoQ(10) and vitamin E were administered, absolutely higher serum concentrations of the active ingredients were achieved by the NanoSolve formulation than by the pure materials in gelatin capsules. The bioavailability of CoQ(10) increased fivefold after administration of the NanoSolve formulation, and the bioavailability of vitamin E was enhanced 10-fold both compared to the pure substances.     

Potential role of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) in pediatric cardiomyopathy

Pediatric cardiomyopathy (PCM) represents a group of rare and heterogeneous disorders that often results in death. While there is a large body of literature on adult cardiomyopathy, all of the information is not necessarily relevant to children with PCM. About 40% of children who present with symptomatic cardiomyopathy are reported to receive a heart transplant or die within the first two years of life. In spite of some of the advances in the management of PCM, the data shows that the time to transplantation or death has not improved during the past 35 years. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like nutrient that has a fundamental role in mitochondrial function, especially as it relates to the production of energy (ATP) and also as an antioxidant. Based upon the biochemical rationale and a large body of data on patients with adult cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and mitochondrial diseases with heart involvement, a role for coenzyme Q10 therapy in PCM patients is indicated, and preliminary results are promising. Additional studies on the potential usefulness of coenzyme Q10 supplementation as an adjunct to conventional therapy in PCM, particularly in children with dilated cardiomyopathy, are therefore warranted.     

保健食品中辅酶Q10含量的测定及其提取条件的研究

目的:本文建立了测定保健食品中辅酶Q10的高效液相色谱法,并对不同溶剂对辅酶Q10提取效果的影响进行了研究.方法:样品在40℃下,乙酸乙脂超声提取15 min,采用Symmetry C18 4.6×250 mm柱分离;流动相为甲醇 乙醇(30 70),样品盘和色谱柱温度均为35℃,流速为1.5 ml/min,检测波长275 nm.结果:在10～600μg/ml范围内,峰面积与质量浓度成良好的线性关系(r2=0.999),RSD为0.6%,最低检出限0.8 ng.样品中辅酶Q10的提取率>96%,RSD为2.83%.结论:该方法快速、准确,提取效率高,适用于保健食品中辅酶Q10含量的测定.     

Reducing exercise-induced muscular injury in kendo athletes with supplementation of coenzyme Q10

Intensive physical exercise may cause muscular injury and increase oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), on muscular injury and oxidative stress during exercise training. Eighteen male students, all elite Japanese kendo athletes, were randomly assigned to either a CoQ10 group (n 10) or a placebo group (n 8) in a double-blind manner. Subjects in the CoQ10 group took 300 mg CoQ10 per d for 20 d, while subjects in the placebo group took the same dosage of a placebo. All subjects practised kendo 5.5 h per d for 6 d during the experimental period. Blood samples were taken 2 weeks before, during (1 d, 3 d, 5 d) and 1 week after the training. Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin (Mb) concentration significantly increased in both groups (at 3 d and 5 d). Serum CK (at 3 d), Mb (at 3 d) and lipid peroxide (at 3 d and 5 d) of the CoQ10 group were lower than those of the placebo group. The leucocyte counts in the placebo group significantly increased (at 3 d) and neutrophils significantly increased in both groups (at 3 d and 5 d). Serum scavenging activity against superoxide anion did not change in either group. These results indicate that CoQ10 supplementation reduced exercise-induced muscular injury in athletes.     

Serum levels of coenzyme Q10 and lipids in patients during total parenteral nutrition

Serum levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as well as lipids were determined in patients during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The mean CoQ10 levels (M +/- SD) were 0.77 +/- 0.30 microgram/ml for 108 normal subjects and 0.59 +/- 0.35 microgram/ml for 95 patients before TPN. The mean CoQ10 level of the patients decreased significantly to 0.35 +/- 0.23 microgram/ml one week after the start of TPN, and then remained almost unchanged during TPN for up to 6 weeks. When the patients receiving TPN (TPN patients) were grouped according to their clinical diagnoses, the mean CoQ10 level of patients with cancer was significantly lower than that of the other patients without cancer in 4 week therapy, but there was no difference in the levels between the patients with and without diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Serum levels of total cholesterol (T-Chol) and esterified cholesterol in TPN patients also declined below their respective normal ranges, but not to the same extent in comparison to CoQ10. The levels of triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), non-esterified fatty acids, low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins, chylomicrons, and cholesterol in the high density lipoprotein fraction in serum of TPN patients were within their normal ranges. The levels of CoQ10 in TPN patients were correlative to those of T-Chol, TG, and PL, and decreased rapidly prior to the latter levels.     

辅酶Q10与营养素联合使用对大鼠体内抗氧化状态的影响

目的研究辅酶Q10(CoQ10,CQ)以及CoQ10与混合类胡萝卜素(番茄红素和叶黄素,LL)、锌硒(ZS)联合使用对大鼠抗氧化状态的影响。方法以AIN-76配方为基础制备大鼠饲料,并添加4%猪油,将大鼠按体重随机分为6组:对照组、CQ组[CQ 10mg/(kg·d)]、CQ+ZS组[CQ 10mg/(kg·d),Zn 1mg/(kg·d),Se 4μg/(kg·d)]、CQ+LL组[CQ 10mg/(kg·d),叶黄素1mg/(kg·d),番茄红素2mg/(kg·d)]、CQ+ZS+LL组[CQ 10mg/(kg·d),Zn 1mg/(kg·d),Se 4μg/(kg·d),叶黄素1mg/(kg·d),番茄红素2mg/(kg·d)]以及VE组[VE 2mg/(kg·d)]。8周后处死大鼠,测定各项抗氧化指标。结果CoQ10单独补充组血浆SOD、TOAC及肝SOD、GPX水平显著高于对照组,与其他物质联合补充能更进一步提高大鼠血浆和肝匀浆抗氧化酶活性,降低脂质过氧化和淋巴细胞自发性氧化损伤水平。结论CoQ10可以提高大鼠抗氧化能力,降低氧化损伤,与其他抗氧化物质联合补充的效果要强于单独补充。