The Use of Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

CoQ10 is an endogenous antioxidant produced in all cells that plays an essential role in energy metabolism and antioxidant protection. CoQ10 distribution is not uniform among different organs, and the highest concentration is observed in the heart, though its levels decrease with age. Advanced age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction triggered by oxidative stress that impairs mitochondrial bioenergetic and reduces NO bioavailability, thus affecting vasodilatation. The rationale of the use of CoQ10 in cardiovascular diseases is that the loss of contractile function due to an energy depletion status in the mitochondria and reduced levels of NO for vasodilatation has been associated with low endogenous CoQ10 levels. Clinical evidence shows that CoQ10 supplementation for prolonged periods is safe, well-tolerated and significantly increases the concentration of CoQ10 in plasma up to 3–5 µg/mL. CoQ10 supplementation reduces oxidative stress and mortality from cardiovascular causes and improves clinical outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, prevents the accumulation of oxLDL in arteries, decreases vascular stiffness and hypertension, improves endothelial dysfunction by reducing the source of ROS in the vascular system and increases the NO levels for vasodilation.

Heart Failure—Do We Need New Drugs or Have Them Already? A Case of Coenzyme Q10

“…Numerous studies indicate a significant role of its deficiency in the pathogenesis of HF. Therefore, several clinical trials have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in patients with HF, with very good results [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…From the point of view of cardiovascular health, it is worth mentioning that coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant, which is characterized by stronger antioxidant properties in relation to low density lipoproteins (LDL) than β-carotene or α-tocopherol [ 10 , 15 , 17 ]. Moreover, coenzyme Q10 takes part in the recycling of antioxidants such as vitamin C or vitamin E [ 13 ].…”

Combating Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury with Micronutrients and Natural Compounds during Solid Organ Transplantation: Data of Clinical Trials and Lessons of Preclinical Findings

“…Most of the CoQ10 related studies we found in our organ-specific research concerned the heart. This can probably be explained by the fact that people suffering from heart diseases show a depletion of CoQ10 [ 73 ], emphasizing its importance in heart physiology (see, also, Reference [ 74 ]). A particularly interesting aspect of CoQ10 in relation to cardiovascular health is that CoQ10 in and of itself has the potential to provide preventive support in heart failure, a fact that eventually makes the need for heart transplants (and, thus, fighting IRI) obsolete in the first place.…”

Metallothionein-2A protect Cardiomyocytes from Ischemia/Reperfusion through inhibiting p38

“…These include cellular calcium loading, endothelium cell swelling, impaired vascular relaxation, and the action of oxygen radicals [35]. In clinical situations, the outcomes for acute coronary syndrome patients who are suffering from I/R are influenced by many unpredictable events, such as myocardial stunning, coronary vascular spasms, or lethal arrhythmia [36]. The molecular signaling changes of myocardial I/R injury which are needed to be further studied.…”