The Open Nutraceuticals Journal

2011, 4 : 69-87
Published online 2011 May 03. DOI: 10.2174/1876396001104010069
Publisher ID: TONUTRAJ-4-69

Coenzyme Q10 in Heart and Brain Diseases

Jan Fedacko , Daniel Pella , Petra Fedackova , Viola Vargova , Fabien De Meester , Petra Durcikova and Ram B. Singh
Center of Preventive and Sports Medicine, Medical Faculty of Safarik University and L. Pasteur Univeristy Hospital, Tr. SNP 1, 040 01 Kosice, SLovakia.

ABSTRACT

Background:

Several cardiovascular, neurological and other diseases are associated with coenzyme Q10( CoQ) deficiency. The objective is to evaluate possible benefits of ubiquinone supplementation in cardiovascular diseases and degenerative diseases of the brain. Methods: An internet search in PubMed, Vitasearch, In Circulation. Net, till 2008, discussions with colleagues, own experiences.

Results:

Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10 ) deficiency has been observed in several cardiovascular and neurological diseases. CoQ10 has strong influence on lipid metabolism, oxidation of blood lipids, vascular inflammation and on the cell membranes of cardiac and arterial cells and neurons. These pathogenetic mechanisms seem to be important in patients with neurological and cardiac disease as well as in brain-heart connection. Its supplementation has several beneficial effects including the stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaque and decreasing the size of myoacardial infarction and the protection of neurons. Antioxidant properties of CoQ10 are responsible for the prevention of many drug side effects. Several studies have suggested the beneficial effect of CoQ10 in neuro-cardiovascular diseases, that will require further confirmation. Adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting may be reduced by using highly bio-available brands, that reduce the oral dosage of COQ.

Conclusions:

CoQ10 is still in the investigational stages and the list of possible indications related to brain and heart diseases and their linkage, appears to be quite extensive. There is still the need for a number of large, double blind multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trials, in order to confirm the possible beneficial effects of CoQ10 supplementation in different neurocardiological conditions.