CoQ10 research. Every three years, the International Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More Association (ICQA) holds an international conference. Speakers at the 10th conference of the ICQA held in Hamburg, Germany, May 12-15, 2022, made the following presentations:
Coenzyme Q10 and Ageing
- An ageing-related decrease in growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 result in an increase in sub-clinical inflammationInflammation is an immune system response to an injury to cells or tissues. It is the body’s attempt to defend against invaders such as bacteria andviruses and to mend the damage done by invaders. Typically, inflammation manifests itself in the form of fever and swelling, in the swarming of white blood cells and the release of cytokines to fight against... More. Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More levels in organs, except in the liver, decline by approximately 50% in elderly individuals. The decrease in growth hormone and IGF-1 and the decline in Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More in organs are inter-related [K. Brismar].
- The biological mechanisms underlying the reduction in cardiovascular mortality and the improvement in heart function seen in senior citizens supplemented with a combination of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More and seleniumSelenium (symbol Se, atomic number 34) is a trace element that is an essential nutrient and an essential component of some of the most important antioxidants in the body, in particular the selenoproteins glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, and selenoprotein P. Selenium is involved in the optimal functioning of the immune system. Professor Alehagen has pointed out that there exists a... More in the KiSel-10 StudyIn the KiSel-10 study, 443 Swedish citizens aged 70 to 88 received either a combined daily supplementation of high-selenium yeast and Coenzyme Q10 or matching placebos. The elderly Swedish citizens who received the active treatment of selenium and Coenzyme Q10 had significantly reduced risk of death from heart disease, significantly better heart function as recorded on echocardiograms, and significantly lower... More include the following [U. Alehagen]:
- reduced systemic inflammationInflammation is an immune system response to an injury to cells or tissues. It is the body’s attempt to defend against invaders such as bacteria andviruses and to mend the damage done by invaders. Typically, inflammation manifests itself in the form of fever and swelling, in the swarming of white blood cells and the release of cytokines to fight against... More
- improved endothelial dysfunctionEndothelial dysfunction may be thought of as the failure of the cells lining the inside of arteries and veins to regulate properly blood vessel relaxation and contraction, blood clotting, immune function, and platelet adhesion. Endothelial dysfunction prevents the blood vessels from dilating sufficiently and can lead to increased risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation is associated... More
- reduced fibrosis
Coenzyme Q10 and Bioavailability
- The comparison of the results from different CoQ10 absorption and bioavailability studies is ill-advised because the results are based on different study protocols, different study groups, different formulations and different dosages of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More, different modes of administration (fasting/non-fasting), different blood sampling techniques, and different observation times [I. Pravst].
- Marketing claims of x times better bioavailability can be very misleading for consumers [I. Pravst].
- Accordingly, consumers of CoQ10 supplements should be on the alert and should expect documentation of the absorption and bioavailability of the product they choose.
Over the years, the cardiologist Franklin Rosenfeldt has conducted research centered on Coenzyme Q10’s effect on heart function and heart surgery. Pictured here at the 2022 Hamburg conference. Coenzyme Q10 and Cognitive Function
- CoQ10 supplementation may have a positive effect on cognitive function. An Australian clinical study is testing this hypothesis [C. Stough]. The question in the CoQ10 field is: how does exogenous Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More affect the brain if it does not cross the blood-brain barrier? [F. Rosenfeldt].
Possible answers from CoQ10 researchers in the audience:
- by reducing number of inflammatory proteins crossing into the brain?
- by improving the quantity and quality of the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in the blood crossing into the brain?
- by improving endothelial function and thus improving blood pressure and blood fluidity?
- by hdl-cholesterol’s transporting Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More across the blood-brain barrier?
- An in-vitro study done in London shows the transport of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More through the blood-brain barrier, in both directions, from the blood side to the brain side of the barrier and from the brain side to the blood side. In cases of normal CoQ10 levels, there is no net transfer of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More from the blood to the brain. In cases of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More deficiency, there is net CoQ10 transfer into the brain [I. Hargreaves].
Coenzyme Q10 and Statin Medications
- The discontinuation of statin medications and the use of CoQ10 supplementation for heart failureThe Mayo Clinic defines heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure and/or chronic heart failure, as the failure of the heart muscle to pump blood to the body adequately. In other words, heart failure is not a heart attack, and it is not death from heart disease, which its name might seem to imply. Heart failure is a condition... More patients has not had any adverse effects and has been helpful, based on the results of a study published in 2019 [P. Langsjoen].
- Statin-associated cardiomyopathy exists as a common but unrecognized clinical condition. It can present as diastolic heart failureThe Mayo Clinic defines heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure and/or chronic heart failure, as the failure of the heart muscle to pump blood to the body adequately. In other words, heart failure is not a heart attack, and it is not death from heart disease, which its name might seem to imply. Heart failure is a condition... More (HFpEF). Discontinuing statin treatment and initiating CoQ10 treatment can improve symptoms and heart function [P. Langsjoen, J. Langsjoen].
- With the discontinuation of statin medications, daily dosages of 200 mg of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More twice daily, together with meals containing some fat, and, in difficult cases, up to 300 mg three times daily have been tested. Better absorption of the Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More is achieved by having the patients chew the soft-gel capsules rather than swallow them [P. Langsjoen].
- In stopping the patients’ statin treatment, cardiologists will need to monitor the use of anti-hypertensives, diuretics, and beta-blockers; they should expect changes over the course of months [P. Langsjoen].
Note: A review of the major trials of the effect of cholesterolCholesterol is one of the major fat-soluble compounds that is found in animal plasma membranes. It is necessary for life and is found throughout the body. It is carried from the liver to the tissues where it is needed by lipoproteins of which it is a component. Much of the cholesterol is transported in Low density lipoproteins (LDL). High levels... More lowering in heart failureThe Mayo Clinic defines heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure and/or chronic heart failure, as the failure of the heart muscle to pump blood to the body adequately. In other words, heart failure is not a heart attack, and it is not death from heart disease, which its name might seem to imply. Heart failure is a condition... More patients shows no benefit [H. Kloer]:
- GISSI-HF n=4631 (2008): no benefit
- CORONA n=5011 (2007): no benefit
- ODYSSEY OUTCOMES HF n=2815 HF vs 16109 controls (2022): no benefit
Prof. Placido Navas, Pablo de Olavide University, Sevilla, Spain, has presided over three successful ICQA conferences: Bologna 2015, New York 2018, and Hamburg 2022. Conclusion: CoQ10 research follows rigorous standards
Prof. Navas, in his remarks at the conclusion of the conference, was especially proud of three accomplishments:
- Improved selection of conference presenters from all the applicants
- More participation by younger researchers
- More female researchers
Sources
Kloer HU, Belardinelli R, Ruchong O, Rosenfeldt F. Combining Ubiquinol With a Statin May Benefit Hypercholesterolaemic Patients With Chronic Heart FailureThe Mayo Clinic defines heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure and/or chronic heart failure, as the failure of the heart muscle to pump blood to the body adequately. In other words, heart failure is not a heart attack, and it is not death from heart disease, which its name might seem to imply. Heart failure is a condition... More. Heart Lung Circ. 2020 Feb;29(2):188-195.
