CoQ10 Supports Endothelial Function

ANCONA, ItalyCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), possibly by countering nitric oxide-induced oxidation (Eur Heart J, ePub July 19, 2007; DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm267). In the randomized, controlled study, 38 CAD patients were randomized to receive either 300 mg/d of CoQ10 or placebo for one month. Supplementation increased extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD), endothelium-dependent (ED) relaxation, and peak VO2 and O2 pulse increases. The improvements were particularly significant in patients with low initial endothelium-bound ecSOD, who were more prone to oxidative stress.

The researchers from the Polytechnic University of the Marche concluded improvements in ED relaxation and endothelium-bound ecSOD activity may be related to CoQ10s ability to counteract nitric oxide oxidation, while the enhancement of VO2 and O2 pulse rates could be attributed to the bioenergetic effect of CoQ10. They added the improved VO2 could also be related to enhanced peripheral endothelial function.