Benefits of CoEnzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q-10 has many uses:

• Treatment of heart and blood vessel conditions such as congestive heart failure, chest pain and high blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Gum disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Strengthening the immune systems of people with HIV/AIDS

Coenzyme Q-10 may also help increase energy. This is because coenzyme Q-10 has a role in producing ATP, a molecule in body cells that functions like a rechargeable battery in the transfer of energy. Coenzyme Q-10 been used for treating inherited or acquired disorders that limit energy production in the cells of the body, such as mitochondrial disorders.

Reference:

National Institute of Health: Medline Plus.  (2011).  CoEnzyme Q10.  Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/938.html

Test your knowledge

1. Coenzyme Q10 is an important part of which metabolic pathway:

a) Beta Oxidation

b) TCA cycle

c) Electron Transport Chain

d) Urea cycle

2. Which is the best source of coenzyme Q10:

a) Legumes

b) Meat

c) Flax seed

d) Whole grains

3. How is coenzyme Q10 absorbed?

a) The same way as fat soluble vitamins

b) The same way as water soluble vitamins

c) Co Q-10 cannot be absorbed by humans

d) Inside the stomach with a help of HCL

4.Where can coenzyme Q10 be found in the body?

a) In red blood cells

b) On the receptor sites of neurons

c) Only in the connective tissue

d) In the mitochondria of most of the cells

5. What is an important function of coenzyme Q10

a) It acts as an antioxidant

b) It aids in DNA replication

c) Helps form red blood cells

d) Plays a role in the production of hormones and cholesterol

6. What is the other name for coenzyme Q10?

a) Coenzyme A

b) Apoenzyme

c) Ubiquinone

d) Carnitine

Answers: 1c, 2b, 3a, 4d, 5a, 6c

Coenzyme Q10 Can Help Lower Down High Serum Lipoprotein.

Co Q-10 is a very powerful antioxidant and many studies show effectiveness of Co Q10 in preventing heart disease. Certain study done on hemodialysis patients showed that Co Q-10 can lower serum lipoprotein, which tends to be high in hemodialysis patients and is can increase chances of developing heart disease.

The study consisted of 52 hemodialysis patients on statin therapy. They were divided into 4 groups and in a period of 3 months they were given carnitine, coenzyme Q10, combination of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 or placebo.

After 3 months the results have shown that group consisting of carnitine, coenzyme Q10 and carnitine + coenzyme Q10 had significantly reduced levels of lipoprotein while placebo group there were no changes in lipoprotein levels. Triglyceredes, LDL and HDL did not change much however.

Apparently more studies should be done on that topic but the study suggests that Coenzyme Q10 can be very helpful in lowering high levels of serum lipoprotein.

References

Shojaei M, Djalali M, Khatami M, Siassi F, Eshraghian M. Effects of Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 on Lipid Profile and Serum Level of Lipoprotein(a) in Maintnance Hemodialysis Patients on Statin Therapy. IJKD 20011;5: 114-8

Coenzyme Q-10 in Electron Transport Chain

 Coenzyme Q-10 is a part of mitochondria and takes an active role in the electron transport chain. It accepts hydrogen atoms formed during carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism. It accepts electrons from complex I and complex II cytochromes and transfers them to a comlex III cytochrome. Co Q-10 also transfers protons outside the mitochondrial membrane. The cascade of these processes generates ATP thus creates energy needed for our daily lives.

Below is a diagram showing Co Q-10 (marked as UQ) in the electron transport chain.

  References.

Meredith Spindler, M Flint Beal, Claire Henchcliffe. Coenzyme Q10 effects in neurodegenerative disease. Dove Press Journal: Neuropsychiatric Deasease and Treatment, November 6, 2009. p. 597-610

Biosynthesis of Coenzyme Q-10

Biosynthesis

Coenzyme Q-10 can be synthesized by the body in almost all of the cells. It is an important component of mitochondria. The building block for Co Q-10 is an amino acd tyrosine or phenylalanine which becomes synthesized to benzoquinone. This step requires vitamin B6 as a cofactor hence low vitamin B6 in a diet might interfere with production of Co Q-10. Further synthesis involves creation of isoprenoid side chain from Acetyl CoA. Finally with a help HMG CoA reductase enzyme these two structures become synthesized to ubiquinone (other name for Co Q-10).

Synthesis of Coenzyme Q10

 References

S. Shinde, N. Patil & A. Tendolkar: Coenzyme Q10: A Review of Essential Functions. The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness. 2005 Volume 1 Number 2

Meredith Spindler, M Flint Beal, Claire Henchcliffe. Coenzyme Q10 effects in neurodegenerative disease. Dove Press Journal: Neuropsychiatric Deasease and Treatment, November 6, 2009. p. 597-610

RDA and Dietary Sources

Co Q-10 can be synthesized by the body of all animals and in most tissues of a human body therefore it is considered a non-essential nutrient. Since the body can produce it by itself there are no dietary requirements for Co Q-10, although deficiency may occur in patients with impaired CoQ10 biosynthesis due to severe metabolic or mitochondrial disorders, not enough dietary CoQ10 intake, or too much CoQ10 use by the body.

 

Certain foods however contain Co Q-10 and most people consume some Co Q-10 in their diet. 

Typical diet intake varies from 3 – 5 mg per day.

The richest sources of Coenzyme Q-10 include:

        *Meat, especially organ meats, poultry, fish

        *Soybean and canola oil

        *Nuts

        *Moderate amount can be found in fruits, vegetables, eggs and diary products

Frying destroys some of the coenzyme Q-10, however boiling and steaming doesn’t seem to have any impact on Co Q-10 content in food.

Coenzyme Q-10 can be also consumed as a dietary supplement in a form of a pill. It can be found in most of the pharmacies and regular doses range anywhere from 30 - 100 mg/d. Therapeutic doses range from 100 – 300 mg/d.

There is no known toxicity for Coenzyme Q10. 

References

Overvad K, Diamant B, Holm L, Holmer G, Mortensen SA, Stender S. Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999;53(10):764-770.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.  CoEnzyme Q10.  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coenzyme-q10/NS_patient-coenzymeq10

Weber C. Dietary intake and absorption of coenzyme Q. In: Kagan VE, Quinn PJ,eds. Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2001:209-215.

Shults CW, Flint Beal M, Song D, Fontaine D. Pilot trial of high dosages of coenzyme Q10 in patients with Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol. 2004;188(2):491-494

Digestion, Absorption and Storage.

Digestion, absorption and storage.

Coenzyme Q-10 is lipid soluble and acts in a very similar way as other lipid soluble vitamins. In the small intestine with the help of a pancreatic enzyme lipase and bile Co Q-10 undergoes emulsification and becomes incorporated into micelles that can be absorbed through intestinal mucosal cells and sent through lymphatic system to the liver. The liver then distributes it to different parts of the body where it can be used to create ATP.

Generally, it is stored in all of the tissues within the body but it is also found in circulation in lipoproteins.

Structure of Coenzyme Q10

 Coenzyme Q10 (2,3 dimethoxy-5-methyl-6decaprenyl benzoquinone) is a vitamin-like nutrient that is lipid soluble. It can exist in 3 forms:

• ubiquinone
• reduced form, ubiquinol
• as a semiquinone radical

Structure of CoQ10

Functions of Coenzyme Q10:

• Used by cells to produce energy needed for cell growth and maintenance
• Improves the heart muscle metabolism
• May prevent coronary insufficiency and heart failure
• Is used by the body as an antioxidant and enhances immunity
• Necessary for healthy functioning of the nervous system and brain cells
• Boosts energy levels

References

S. Shinde, N. Patil & A. Tendolkar: Coenzyme Q10: A Review of Essential Functions. The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness. 2005 Volume 1 Number 2