Clinical studies demonstrated the efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as an adjuvant therapeutic in cardiovascular diseases, mitochondrial myopathies and neurodegenerative diseases. More recently, expression profiling revealed that Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) influences the expression of several hundred genes. To unravel the functional connections of these genes, we performed a text mining approach using the Genomatix BiblioSphere. We identified signalling pathways of G-protein coupled receptors, JAK/STAT, and Integrin which contain a number of CoQ10 sensitive genes. Further analysis suggested that IL5, thrombin, vitronectin, vitronectin receptor, and C-reactive protein are regulated by CoQ10 via the transcription factor NFkappaB1. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of CoQ10 on the NFkappaB1-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. As a model, we utilized the murine macrophage cell lines RAW264.7 transfected with human apolipoprotein E3 (apoE3, control) or pro-inflammatory apoE4. In the presence of 2.5 microM or 75 microM CoQ10 the LPS-induced TNF-alpha response was significantly reduced to 73.3 +/- 2.8% and 74.7 +/- 8.9% in apoE3 or apoE4 cells, respectively. Therefore, the in silico analysis as well as the cell culture experiments suggested that CoQ10 exerts anti-inflammatory properties via NFkappaB1-dependent gene expression.

Mitochondrial complex I appears to be dysfunctional in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) is a physiological cofactor of complex I. Therefore, we evaluated the short-term effects of CoQ(10) in PSP. We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II trial, including 21 clinically probable PSP patients (stage < or = III) to receive a liquid nanodispersion of CoQ(10) (5 mg/kg/day) or matching placebo. Over a 6-week period, we determined the change in CoQ(10) serum concentration, cerebral energy metabolites (by (31)P- and (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy), motor and neuropsychological dysfunction (PSP rating scale, UPDRS III, Hoehn and Yahr stage, Frontal Assessment Battery, Mini Mental Status Examination, Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale). CoQ(10) was safe and well tolerated. In patients receiving CoQ(10) compared to placebo, the concentration of low-energy phosphates (adenosine-diphosphate, unphosphorylated creatine) decreased. Consequently, the ratio of high-energy phosphates to low-energy phosphates (adenosine-triphosphate to adenosine-diphosphate, phospho-creatine to unphosphorylated creatine) increased. These changes were significant in the occipital lobe and showed a consistent trend in the basal ganglia. Clinically, the PSP rating scale and the Frontal Assessment Battery improved slightly, but significantly, upon CoQ(10) treatment compared to placebo. Since CoQ(10) appears to improve cerebral energy metabolism in PSP, long-term treatment might have a disease-modifying, neuroprotective effect.

Please cite this article as: Sohet FM, Neyrinck AM, Pachikian BD, de Backer FC, Bindels LB, Niklowitz P, Menke T, Cani PD, Delzenne NM, Coenzyme Q10 supplementation lowers hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation associated with diet-induced obesity in mice, Biochemical Pharmacology (2008Pharmacology ( ), doi:10.1016Pharmacology ( /j.bcp.2009 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Aims:The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on hepatic metabolic and inflammatory disorders associated with diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance.Methods: C57bl6/j mice were fed for 8 weeks, either a control diet (CT) or a high fat diet plus 21% fructose in the drinking water (HFF). CoQ10 supplementation was performed in this later condition (HFFQ).Results HFF mice exhibit increased energy consumption, fat mass development, fasting glycemia and insulinemia and impaired glucose tolerance. HFF treatment promoted the expression of genes involved in reactive oxygen species production (NADPH oxidase), inflammation (CRP, STAMP-2) and metabolism (CPT1) in the liver. CoQ10 supplementation decreased the global hepatic mRNA expression of inflammatory and metabolic stresses markers without changing obesity and tissue lipid peroxides compared to HFF mice. HFF diets paradoxically decreased TBARS (reflecting lipid peroxides) levels in liver, muscle and adipose tissue versus CT group, an effect related to vitamin E content of the diet. Conclusion:In conclusion, HFF model promotes glucose intolerance and obesity by a mechanism independent on the level of tissue peroxides. CoQ10 tends to decrease hepatic stress gene expression, independently of any modulation of lipid peroxidation, which is classically considered as its most relevant effect.

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Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) concentration in blood cells was analyzed by HPLC and compared to plasma concentration before, during, and after CoQ10 (3 mg/kg/day) supplementation to human probands. Lymphocyte DNA 8-hydroxydeoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative stress, was analyzed by Comet assay. Subjects supplemented with CoQ10 showed a distinct response in plasma concentrations after 14 and 28 days. Plasma levels returned to baseline values 12 weeks after treatment stopped. The plasma concentration increase did not affect erythrocyte levels. However, after CoQ10 supplementation, the platelet level increased; after supplementation stopped, the platelet level showed a delayed decrease. A positive correlation was shown between the plasma CoQ10 level and platelet and white blood cell CoQ10 levels. During CoQ10 supplementation, delayed formation of 8-OHdG in lymphocyte DNA was observed; this effect was long-lasting and could be observed even 12 weeks after supplementation stopped. Intracellular enrichment may support anti-oxidative defense mechanisms.