CoQ10 Supplements Increase CoQ Plasma, Mitochondrial Levels

CoQ10 Supplements Increase CoQ Plasma, Mitochondrial Levels

LOS ANGELESContrary tohistorical beliefs, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation can increase both totaland mitochondrial coenzyme Q (CoQ) concentrations in the heart and skeletalmuscle and brain mitochondria, according to animal research published in theOctober issue of the Journal of Nutrition (133, 10:3175-80, 2003) (www.nutrition.org). Researchers at the University of Southern Californiasupplemented 6-month-old mice with 0 mg/kg/d, 148 mg/kg/d or 654 mg/kg/d ofCoQ10 for 11 weeks. The treatment diets were shown to enhance both CoQ9 andCoQ10 plasma levels, and mitochondrial levels in liver, heart, brain andskeletal muscle. Researchers noted the uptake of exogenous CoQ10 was higher inmitochondria of the heart and skeletal muscle than those in the liver.

In addition, CoQ10 supplementation elevated alpha-tocopherolconcentrations in tissues and mitochondria, which demonstrates a sparing effectof CoQ10 on alpha-tocopherol levels. Researchers concluded that through thismechanism, CoQ10 enhanced the oxidative potential of tissues.