CoQ10- Approved in Japan for treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

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CoQ10- Approved in Japan for treatment of Congestive Heart Failure JoAnn Guest

Mar 23, 2005 11:45 PST

 

 

What does congestive heart failure, gum disease and obesity have in

common? Very often, a deficiency of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

 

A lack of CoQ10 has also been implicated in arrhythmias, strokes,

hypertension, heart attacks, atherosclerosis, muscular dystrophy and

AIDS and many of these diseases can be prevented and treated

successfully with CoQ10.

 

Since its discovery and isolation 40 years ago hundreds of clinical

research studies have been done on CoQ10 and it is now abundantly clear

that this nutrient is absolutely *vital* to health.

 

Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone/ubiquinol) is a fat-soluble quinone with a

structure similar to that of vitamin K.

 

It is a powerful antioxidant both on its own and in combination with

vitamin E and is vital in powering the body's " energy production " (ATP)

cycle.

 

CoQ10 is found throughout the body in cell membranes, especially in the

" mitochondrial " membranes and is particularly abundant in the heart,

lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas and adrenal glands. The total

body content of CoQ10 is only about 500-1500 mg.

 

In the mid-1960's, Professor Yamamura of *Japan* became the first in the

world to use coenzyme Q7 (a related compound) in the treatment of human

disease:

" congestive heart failure " .

 

In 1966, Mellors and Tappel showed that reduced CoQ6 was an effective

" antioxidant " .

 

In 1972 Gian Paolo Littarru of Italy along with Professor

Karl Folkers documented a " deficiency " of CoQ10 in human heart disease.

 

By the mid-1970's, the *Japanese* perfected the industrial technology to

*produce* pure CoQ10 in quantities sufficient for

larger clinical trials.

 

Peter Mitchell received the Nobel Prize in 1978 for his contribution to

the understanding of biological energy transfer through the formulation

of the chemiosmotic theory,

which includes the vital protonmotive role of CoQ10 in " energy

transfer " systems.

 

Coenzyme Q10 has received particular attention in the prevention and

treatment of various forms of cardiovascular disease.

 

It is highly effective in preventing the " oxidation " of *low-density

lipoprotein* cholesterol (LDL) which leads to atherosclerosis.

 

Several studies have shown that patients with congestive heart failure

and other cardiovascular diseases have significantly lower levels of

CoQ10 in their heart tissue than do healthy people and supplementation

with as little as 100 mg/day has been shown to markedly *improve* their

condition.

 

CoQ10 is now *approved* in Japan for the treatment of congestive heart

failure.

 

Nutritional factors play an important " role " in the development and

treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

However, health care professionals may overlook, or even " disregard " ,

some of these factors for several reasons, including inadequate training

and " conflicting reports " in the biomedical literature.

 

This review provides a synopsis of more than two-dozen " nutritional

approaches " to primary and secondary prevention and therapy of CVD.

 

Favorable cardiovascular effects have been reported with the use of

" unsaturated fatty acids " ,

" vegetarian and semi-vegetarian " diets, " dietary fiber " ,

" plant sterols " ,

alcoholic beverages(red wine),

vitamins (niacin, E, C, B6, B12, folate),

minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium),

conditionally-essential nutrients

(coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, taurine)

and botanical agents (garlic, hawthorn, gugulipid).

 

In contrast, " trans-fatty acids " ,

oxysterols,

homocysteinemia,

carbohydrate 'intolerance',

and excessive " sodium chloride " and " iron "

have been associated

with *undesirable* cardiovascular effects.

 

A " nutritional approach " to CVD provides a pivotal adjuvant to

traditional pharmaceutical and/or surgical interventions

by maximizing the likelihood of success

in decreasing CVD morbidity and mortality and

minimizing the economic and social costs

associated with this disease.

 

Although additional intervention studies are needed, current scientific

evidence generally " supports "

*nutritional supplementation* with these

nutrients as an effective adjunctive strategy for CVD control.

 

Coenzyme Q10 is a " redox component " in the respiratory chain.

CoQ10 is necessary for human life to exist; and a 'deficiency' can be

" contributory " to ill health and disease.

 

A deficiency of CoQ10 in myocardial disease has been found and

controlled " therapeutic trials " have established CoQ10 as a major

advance

in the therapy of resistant " myocardial failure " .

 

The cardiotoxicity of adriamycin, used in treatment modalities of

cancer, is significantly reduced by CoQ10,

apparently because the

side-effects of adriamycin include inhibition of mitochondrial CoQ10

enzymes.

Models of the immune system including phagocytic rate, circulating

antibody level, neoplasia,

viral and parasitic infections

were used to

" demonstrate " that CoQ10 is an " immunomodulating " agent.

 

It was concluded that CoQ10, at the mitochondrial level, is " essential "

for the *optimal function* of the immune system.

 

Heart attacks and strokes produce a burst of " free radicals "

(ischemia- reperfusion)

which can result in extensive *tissue damage*.

 

Patients with high CoQ10 levels suffer less damage from these events

and *Japanese researchers* have found that CoQ10 supplementation prior

to

and immediately following open heart surgery is highly beneficial in

preventing " reperfusion injury " -

a common complication in heart surgery.

 

Supplementation with CoQ10 has also been found beneficial in patients

with

chronic stable angina,

mitral valve prolapse

and irregular heart beat (arrhythmias).

 

Several studies also indicate that CoQ10 may be beneficial in the

treatment of " hypertension " (high blood pressure).

 

A study of 109 patients with long-standing, essential hypertension, who

were on antihypertensive drugs, concluded that supplementation with an

average of 225 mg/day of CoQ10 improved " functional status " ,

allowed about half the patients

to discontinue most of their blood pressure medications

and resulted in an average decrease of systolic blood pressure from 159

to 147 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure decrease

from 94 to 85 mm Hg.

 

Smaller, more recent *Japanese studies* have confirmed these findings.

 

Reports from several research groups--including two small

*double-blind* clinical studies--

indicate that supplemental coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) is effective as a

treatment for hypertension, in humans and in animals.

 

Its efficacy is associated with a decrease in total " peripheral

resistance " , and appears to reflect a direct impact of CoQ on the

vascular wall.

 

A reasonable interpretation of these findings is that CoQ is acting as

an " antagonist " of *vascular superoxide*--

either scavenging it, or suppressing its synthesis.

 

By improving the efficiency of shuttle mechanisms that

transfer " high-energy electrons " from the cytoplasm to the

mitochondrial respiratory chain,

 

CoQ may decrease cytoplasmic NADH levels and thereby diminish the

reductive power

that drives superoxide synthesis

in endothelium and vascular smooth muscle.

 

If CoQ therapy does indeed lower vascular superoxide levels, it can be

expected to decrease the atherothrombotic risk

associated with hypertension,

and may have broader utility in the management

of

disorders characterized by endotheliopathy.

 

Coenzyme Q10 is a great boost to heart health, but it has many other

beneficial effects.

 

Physical exercise *reduces* blood levels of CoQ10 and supplementation

with 60 mg/day has been found to improve athletic performance.

 

Administration of CoQ10 alone or in combination with vitamin B6

(pyridoxine) boosts the " immune system " and may be useful in the

treatment

of AIDS and other infectious diseases.

 

An adequate level of CoQ10 in the body is essential to proper muscle

functioning and several studies have indeed shown tha

supplementation

with 100-150 mg/day of CoQ10 markedly improves the condition of people

suffering from " muscular dystrophy " .

 

Many overweight people have very low levels of CoQ10 and supplementation

may enable them to lose weight due to the effect of CoQ10 in speeding up

the " metabolism " of fats.

 

CoQ10 has been used with success in combatting periodontal diseases,

especially gingivitis (gum disease).

 

Tissue affected by gingivitis is deficient in CoQ10 and experiments have

shown that supplementation with as little as 50 mg/day can " decrease "

inflammation.

 

More recent research has shown that topical application of CoQ10

dissolved in non-gmo soya oil (85 mg/ml) to affected areas (periodontal

pockets)

reduces bleeding and the depth of the pocket.

 

Research carried out in Denmark has provided some tantalizing evidence

that CoQ10 may also be effective in the fight against certain " cancers " .

 

 

A trial involving the treatment of 32 breast cancer patients with

megadoses of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and coenzyme Q10

(90 mg/day) showed a highly

" beneficial effect " of the supplementation.

 

Two of the patients in the trial whose tumours had not regressed had

their CoQ10 dosages increased to 390 mg/day and 300 mg/day respectively

with the result that their tumours " disappeared " completely within three

months.

 

CoQ10 supplementation is also very important for cancer patients

undergoing chemotherapy with " heart toxic " drugs such as adriamycin and

athralines.

 

Recent research has also shown that certain cholesterol-lowering drugs

(lovastatin, etc.) " block " the natural synthesis of CoQ10 so

supplementation with 100 mg/day is recommended for patients taking these

drugs.

 

Despite considerable worldwide efforts, no single etiology has been

identified to explain the development of " chronic fatigue syndrome "

(CFS).

 

It is likely that multiple factors promote its development, sometimes

with the same factors both causing and being caused by the syndrome.

 

A detailed review of the literature suggests a number of marginal

nutritional deficiencies may have etiologic relevance.

 

These include deficiencies of various B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium,

sodium, zinc, L-tryptophan, L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, and essential

fatty acids.

 

Any of these nutrients could be marginally " deficient " in CFS patients,

a finding that appears to be primarily due to the illness process rather

than to inadequate diets.

 

It is likely that " marginal deficiencies " not only contribute to the

clinical manifestations of the syndrome, but also are detrimental to the

healing processes.

 

Therefore, when feasible, objective testing should identify them and

their resolution should be assured by repeat testing following

initiation of treatment.

 

Moreover, because of the rarity of serious adverse reactions, the

difficulty in ruling out marginal deficiencies,

and because some of the " therapeutic benefits " of nutritional

supplements " appear " to be due to pharmacologic effects,

it seems rational to consider

supplementing CFS patients with the nutrients discussed above, along

with a general high-potency vitamin/mineral supplement, at least for a

trial period.

 

The decrease in CoQ10 concentration in the heart is particularly

significant with a 77-year-old person having 57 per cent less CoQ10 in

the heart muscle than a 20-year-old.

 

Some experts involved in CoQ10 research believe that many people,

especially older people and people engaging in vigorous exercise may be

deficient in CoQ10 and may benefit from supplementation.

 

The recommended daily dosage for health maintenance is 30 mg; however,

considerably " higher amounts " are required in the treatment of the

various diseases for which supplementation has been found beneficial.

 

CoQ10 should be taken with a meal containing some nutrient-dense fat or

even better, in

combination with extra virgin olive oil which enhances its " absorption "

quite substantially.

 

CoQ10 supplements are readily " absorbed " by the body and no toxic

effects have been reported for daily dosages as high as 300 mg.

 

The safety of CoQ10, however, has not been established in pregnancy and

lactation, so caution is advised there until more data becomes

available.

 

http://www.evitamins.com/ency_description.asp?encyclopedia=46 & x=18 & y=12

 

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Coenzyme Q-10 Reduce Your Heart Attack Risks?

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Today's Question

What is Coenzyme Q and why do you take it?

-- Don Woods

 

Today's Answer

www.drweil.com

 

Coenzyme Q, also known as Co-Q-10, is a natural substance found in most

foods, that assists in oxygen utilization and energy production by

cells, especially heart-muscle cells.

 

Many medical papers demonstrate coenzyme Q's usefulness as a preventive

as well as a treatment. In general, coenzymes work with enzymes to help

them in their various biochemical functions.

 

Coenzymes are " smaller " than proteins, and so can 'survive digestion'

and pass into the system.

 

Coenzyme Q was *approved* in Japan in 1974 to treat congestive heart

failure, and has also been *approved*

in Sweden, Italy, Denmark, and Canada.

 

I often recommend it to help " stabilize " blood sugar in people who have

diabetes, and to slow heart disease.

 

It also maintains the health of gums and other tissues.

 

There is evidence that coenzyme Q can prolong survival in women with

breast cancer, too.

 

Your body *makes* coenzyme Q, and you take it in

when you eat " cold-water fish " , " organic meat " , and " oils " from non-gmo

soybeans and sesame.

 

The " supplement form " is imported from Japan.

 

I take 100 milligrams once a day with food as a general health-booster.

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Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) –

 

www.doctormurray.com

 

CoQ10 is a powerful " antioxidant " that has been shown to be beneficial

for heart health by protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation and

" re-energizing " the mitochondria in the heart cells, which is where

energy metabolism occurs.

 

This nutrient is very important for the heart cells of patients with

heart failure.

CoQ10 may also help lower blood pressure.

 

Coenzyme Q10 is an essential component of the metabolic process involved

in energy (ATP) production.

 

In addition, CoQ10 has been linked to " protection " of the brain.

 

Researchers believe it is important for protecting the cells

mitochondria, which may result in helping prevent

'degenerative' diseases.

 

Unfortunately, the body's production of CoQ10 begins to decline around

age twenty, often leaving people seriously deficient by middle age, when

the body needs to fight off aging diseases.

 

The recommendation is usually 30 to 60 mgs a day for healthy people.

90 to 120 mgs are suggested for those who want to prevent signs of

aging or have high blood pressure problems.

 

One of the best aspects of CoQ10 appears to be that it has virtually

no side effects.

It is one of the safest substances ever tested, even at very high

doses.

 

No significant toxicity in animal or long- term human studies

have *ever* been recorded.

 

Summary-

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an " essential component " of the mitochondria -

the energy producing unit of the cells of our body.

 

CoQ10 is involved in the manufacture of ATP, the energy currency of all

body processes. A good analogy for CoQ10's role is similar to the role

of a spark plug in a car engine.

Just as the car cannot function without that initial spark, the human

body cannot function without CoQ10.

 

Although CoQ10 can be " synthesized " within the body, there are a number

of circumstances where the body simply does not make sufficient amounts.

 

 

As the heart is one of the most " metabolically active " tissues in the

body, a CoQ10 deficiency affects the heart the most and can lead to

serious problems there.

Deficiency could be a result of impaired CoQ10 " synthesis " due to

nutritional deficiencies, a genetic or acquired defect in CoQ10

synthesis, or increased tissue needs.

 

Examples of diseases that require increased tissue levels of CoQ10 are

primarily heart and vascular diseases including high cholesterol levels

and high blood pressure.

 

In addition, people over the age of 50 may have increased CoQ10

requirements as CoQ10 levels are known to decline with advancing age.

 

Are there food sources of CoQ10?

 

Yes, but the level of CoQ10 in food is relatively low.

 

For example, the typical daily intake of CoQ10 from dietary sources is

only about 3-5 mg per day - nowhere near the level required to

significantly raise blood and tissue levels when CoQ10 supplementation

is needed. Organic Meats, free range poultry and cold water fish provide

dietary CoQ10.

 

What are the principal uses of CoQ10?

 

CoQ10 supplementation is used primarily in the treatment of

cardiovascular diseases such as " elevated cholesterol " levels, high

blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, mitral valve

prolapse, coronary artery bypass surgery, and angina.

 

Considerable " scientific studies " have *validated* these uses.

 

2-4 CoQ10 has also been shown to be helpful in diabetes;

periodontal disease;

immune deficiency;

cancer;

as a weight-loss aid;

and muscular dystrophy.

 

Since the response of CoQ10 can take time, a noticeable improvement

might not occur until 8 or more weeks after therapy is begun.

 

How does CoQ10 improve heart function?

 

By improving energy production in the heart muscle and by acting as an

" antioxidant " .

 

The therapeutic use of CoQ10 in cardiovascular disease has been clearly

documented in both animal studies and human trials.

 

CoQ10 deficiency is common in patients with heart disease.

 

Biopsy results from heart tissue in patients with various cardiovascular

diseases showed a CoQ10 " deficiency " in 50-75% of cases.

 

Correction of a CoQ10 deficiency can often produce dramatic " clinical

" results in patients with any kind of heart disease.

 

Can CoQ10 lower blood pressure?

 

Yes. CoQ10 deficiency has been shown to be present in 39% of patients

with high blood pressure. This finding alone suggests a need for CoQ10

supplementation.

 

However, CoQ10 appears to provide benefits beyond correction of a

deficiency.

 

In several studies CoQ10 has actually been shown to lower

blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

 

The effect of CoQ10 on blood pressure is usually not seen until after

4-12 weeks of therapy.

Typical reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with

CoQ10 therapy in patients with high blood pressure are in the 10% range.

 

--

How does CoQ10 help periodontal disease?

 

Periodontal disease (gum disease) affects 60% of young adults and 90% of

individuals over age 65.

 

Healing and repair of periodontal tissue requires efficient energy

production, a metabolic function dependent on an adequate supply of

CoQ10.

 

CoQ10 deficiency has been reported in gingival tissue of patients with

periodontal disease.

 

The frequency of CoQ10 deficiency in several studies ranged from 60 to

96%. The beneficial effect of CoQ10 in periodontal disease may be the

result of an improvement in the energy-dependent processes of healing

and tissue repair.

 

How does CoQ10 " boost " the immune system?

 

Tissues and cells involved with immune function are highly

energy-dependent and therefore require an adequate supply of CoQ10 for

optimal function. Several studies have documented an immune-enhancing

effect of CoQ and a benefit in cancer patients.

 

Also, CoQ10 should definitely be used by cancer patients taking any

chemotherapy drug that is associated with heart toxicity (e.g.,

adriamycin, athralines, etc.).

 

Since CoQ10 is needed for the burning of fat, can it promote weight

loss?

 

Yes.

 

Since CoQ10 is an essential cofactor for energy production, it is

possible that CoQ10 deficiency is a contributing cause of some cases of

obesity.

 

Serum coenzyme Q10 levels were found to be low in 52% of the obese

subjects tested.

 

When the subjects with low CoQ10 levels were given 100 mg/day of CoQ10

significant " weight loss " was achieved.

 

What is the best form of CoQ10?

 

Coenzyme Q10 is available primarily in tablet or capsules. Based on

bioavailability studies, the best preparations appear to be soft-gelatin

 

capsules that contain CoQ10 in an oil base or in a soluble form.

In order to further enhance absorption, CoQ10 should be taken with

food.

 

In order to enhance the absorption and utilization of CoQ10,some

manufacturers dissolve CoQ10 in its purest form- natural vitamin E

(Vitamin E; 100% natural d-alpha tocopheryl acetate).

 

The result is that the CoQ10 is biologically enhanced due to increased

absorption, utilization, and function.

 

By providing the CoQ10 dissolved in the vitamin E, absorption is not

only enhanced, but also the likelihood that the CoQ10 will remain in its

" active " form.

 

CoQ10 is present in the blood in both oxidized (inactive) and reduced

(active) form.

 

During times of increased oxidative stress or low vitamin E levels, more

CoQ10 will be converted to its oxidized (inactive form).

 

Thus, by providing high levels of pure vitamin E the biological activity

and function of CoQ10 is enhanced.

 

In addition, the CoQ10 actually " enhances " vitamin E activity as well.

 

How much CoQ10 should I take?

 

While the usual dosage recommendation for CoQ10 is 50 to 150 mg/day,

there are a lot of variables to consider when trying to determine

whether this amount is really ideal.

 

First of all, it appears that the ultimate judge of whether CoQ10 is

going to be effective is whether or not CoQ10 blood levels rise above

2.5 mcg/ml and are maintained at this level for a prolonged period.

 

Since the normal blood level for CoQ10 is roughly 1 mcg/ml, it is often

difficult to achieve this therapeutic blood level especially if using

" poorly absorbed " forms of CoQ10.

 

Here are my recommendations for getting the most out of CoQ10.

Use a loading dosage of four capsules with a meal. This loading dosage

will provide 200 mg CoQ10 and 1600 IU vitamin E. I would recommend that

it be in a soft gelatin capsule and that you take 300 mg of CoQ10 as a

loading dosage and be sure that the meal includes at least one

tablespoon of oil ( olive oil, flaxseed oil, etc.).

 

After the loading dosage, I would recommend taking two

capsules for one week followed by a maintenance dosage of one

capsuledaily thereafter for people weighing up to 250 pounds; and two

capsules per day for people over 250 pounds.

 

Is CoQ10 safe?

 

Coenzyme Q10 is very safe and there have been no serious adverse effects

ever reported even with long-term use.

 

Does CoQ10 interact with any drugs?

 

There are no known adverse interactions between CoQ10 and any drug or

nutrient.

While there are no adverse drug interactions many drugs " adversely

affect " CoQ10 levels or CoQ10 is able to reduce the side effects of the

drug.

 

In addition to adriamycin (discussed above), CoQ10 supplementation has

been shown to counteract some of the adverse effects of certain

cholesterol-lowering, beta-blocker, and psychotrophic drugs.

 

The drugs lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastin (Pravachol), atorvastatin

(Lipitor) and simvastatine (Zocor) are widely used to lower blood

cholesterol levels.

 

They work by " inhibiting " the enzyme (HMG CoA reductase) that is

required in the " manufacture " of cholesterol in the liver.

 

Unfortunately, in doing so these drugs also block the manufacture of

other substances necessary for body functions including CoQ10.

 

Supplementing CoQ10 (50 mg per day) is necessary to prevent the

depletion of CoQ10 in body tissues

while on these drugs.

 

 

www.doctormurray.com

 

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03.12.04 -- Coenzyme Q 10: It's Ubiquity Foretells Its Usefulness

 

http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail & item_id=20001

 

Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is found nearly everywhere and

its ubiquity is a testament to its value in the body.

 

Coenzyme Q is distributed in all cell membranes but is concentrated

mostly in the mitochondria where it is involved in the oxidation

reduction reactions that produce energy.

 

CoQ10’s ubiquitous nature has enabled it to be useful in helping treat

an assortment of diseases.

 

Concerning cancer patients, CoQ10 supplementation significantly

increases the levels of IgG, an immune system protein that may lead to

increase immune system strength (3).

 

CoQ10 has also been used as an adjunctive therapy in treating heart

failure, angina, and high blood pressure.

 

Finally, CoQ10 has even shown efficacy in helping treat

neurodegenerative diseases, from Huntington’s disease to Parkinson’s

disease.

 

Trials in Parkinson’s disease showed CoQ10 in amounts of 1200 mg per day

to be well tolerated.

 

Concerning supplementation, some experts believe that, to see a

noticeable change in the blood, 100 mg/day is needed. The normal amount

of CoQ10 in the blood is 1 microgram/mL, with an increase to 2 µg/mL to

be therapeutic (2).

 

References:

 

1. Beal MF. Coenzyme Q10 as a possible treatment for neurodegenerative

diseases. Free Radical Research 2002; 36(4): 455-60

 

2. Crane FL. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. Journal of the

American College of Nutrition 2001; 20(6): 591-8. Review

 

3. Folkers K. Survival of cancer patients on therapy with coenzyme Q10.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research and Communications 1993; 192(1):

241-5

 

4. Watts TL. Coenzyme Q10 and periodontal treatment: is there any

beneficial effect? British Dental Journal 1995; 178(6): 209-13

 

5. Tran MT. Role of coenzyme Q10 in chronic heart failure, angina, and

hypertension. Pharmacotherapy 2001; 21(7): 797-806

 

Submitted by Greg Arnold, January 5, 2004, Abstracted from “CoQ10” in

Total Health Magazine, Volume 25, Number 3

 

 

-

Medical Abstract Title:

Usefulness of Coenzyme Q10 in Clinical Cardiology: A Long-term Study

www.enzy.com

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Author:

Langsjoen H, Langsjoen P, Langsjoen P, Willis R, Folkers K

 

Source:

Molec Aspects Med. 1994; 15:S165-S175.

 

Abstract:

 

Over an eight year period (1985-1993), we treated 424 patients with

various forms of cardiovascular disease by adding coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

to their medical regimens. Doses of CoQ10 ranged from 75 to 600 mg/day

by mouth (average 242 mg). Treatment was primarily guided by the

patient's clinical response.

 

In many instances, CoQ10 levels were employed with the aim of producing

a whole blood level greater than or equal to 2.0 µg/ml (average 2.92

µg/ml, n=297). Patients were followed for an average of 17.8 months,

with a total accumulation of 632 patient years. Eleven patients were

omitted from this study: 10 due to non-compliance and one who

experienced nausea. Eighteen deaths occurred during the study period

with 10 attributable to cardiac causes.

 

Patients were divided into six diagnostic categories: ischemic

cardiomyopathy (ICM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), primary diastolic

dysfunction (PDD), hypertension (HTN), mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and

valvular heart disease (VHD). For the entire group and for each

diagnostic category, we evaluated clinical response according to the New

York Heart Association (NYHA) functional scale, and found significant

improvement.

 

Of 424 patients, 58 per cent improved by one NYHA class, 28% by two

classes and 1.2% by three classes.

 

A statistically significant improvement in myocardial function was

documented using the following echocardiographic parameters: left

ventricular wall thickness, mitral valve inflow slope and fractional

shortening.

 

Before treatment with CoQ10, most patients were taking from one to five

cardiac medications. During this study, overall medication requirements

dropped considerably: 43% stopped between one and three drugs.

 

No apparent side effects from CoQ10 treatment were noted other than a

single case of transient nausea.

 

In conclusion, CoQ10 is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for a

broad range of cardiovascular diseases, producing gratifying clinical

responses while easing the medical and financial burden of multidrug

therapy.

_________________

 

References

 

Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE. Coenzyme Q10: The Wonder Nutrient.

International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol.

16, No 2, February 1998, pp. 11-12.

 

Littarru, Gian Paolo, et al. Clinical aspects of coenzyme Q: Improvement

of cellular bioenergetics or antioxidant protection? In Handbook of

Antioxidants, eds. Enrique Cadenas and Lester Packer, NY, Marcel Dekker,

 

Inc., 1996, pp. 203-39

PETER H. LANGSJOEN, M.D., F.A.C.C. INTRODUCTION TO COENZYME Q10

Murray, Michael T. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Rocklin, CA,

 

Prima Publishing, 1996, pp. 296-308

Research on coenzyme Q10 in clinical medicine and in immunomodulation.

Drugs Exp Clin Res (SWITZERLAND) 1985, 11 ( p539-45

Kendler BS. Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy

of cardiovascular disease. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs 1997 Summer;12(3):3-23

Kendler BS. Nutritional strategies in cardiovascular disease control: an

 

update on vitamins and conditionally essential nutrients. Prog

Cardiovasc Nurs 1999 Autumn;14(4):124-9

Greenberg, Steven and Frishman, William H. Co-enzyme Q10: A new drug for

 

cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 30, 1990,

 

pp. 596-608

Hanaki, Yoshihiro, et al. Ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

to ubiquinone as a coronary risk factor. New England Journal of

Medicine, Vol. 325, September 12, 1991, pp. 814-15

Baggio, E., et al. Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy

of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure. Molec. Aspects

Med., Vol. 15 (suppl), 1994, pp. S287-94

Oda, T. Coenzyme Q10 therapy on the cardiac dysfunction in patients with

 

mitral valve prolapse. Dose vs effect and dose vs serum level of

coenzyme Q10. In Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Vol. 5,

eds. Folkers, K. and Yamamura, Y., Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1986, pp. 269-80

 

Langsjoen, P., et al. Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme

Q10. Molec. Aspects Med., Vol. 15 (suppl), 1994, pp. S265-72

McCarty MF. Coenzyme Q versus hypertension: does CoQ decrease

endothelial superoxide generation? Med Hypotheses 1999 Oct;53(4):300-4

Vanfraechem, J.H.P. and Folkers, K. Coenzyme Q10 and physical

performance. In Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Vol. 3,

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41

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289

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