View source for Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> (CoQ<sub>10</sub>)}}
[[File:CoenzymeQ10.svg|right|frameless]]
'''Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> (CoQ<sub>10</sub>)''', a lipophilic substituted benzoquinone, is a naturally occurring nutrient found within every cell of both animal and plant cells. It is endogenously synthesized and plays a critical role in a variety of cellular processes. CoQ<sub>10</sub> is an obligatory component of the respiratory chain in the inner mitochondrial membrane and is also the only endogenous lipid [[Antioxidant|antioxidant]], highlighting its singular importance in cellular health and function. Its presence is not limited to the mitochondria but extends to all cellular membranes and is detectable in the blood.

==Dietary Sources ==
Vegetable oils are the richest sources of dietary CoQ<sub>10</sub>; Meat and fish also are quite rich in CoQ<sub>10</sub> levels over 50&nbsp;mg/kg may be found in beef, pork, and chicken heart and liver. Dairy products are much poorer sources of CoQ<sub>10</sub> than animal tissues. Among vegetables, parsley and perilla are the richest CoQ<sub>10</sub> sources, but significant differences in their CoQ<sub>10</sub> levels may be found in the literature. Broccoli, grapes, and cauliflower are modest sources of CoQ<sub>10</sub>. Most fruit and berries represent a poor to very poor source of CoQ<sub>10</sub>, with the exception of avocados, which have a relatively high CoQ<sub>10</sub>

{| class="wikitable"
|+CoQ<sub>10</sub> levels in selected foods{{pmid|20301015}}
! colspan="2" |Food !!CoQ<sub>10</sub> concentration (mg/kg)
|-
| rowspan="5" |Oils
|soybean||54–280
|-
|olive||40–160
|-
|grapeseed|| 64–73
|-
|sunflower||4–15
|-
| canola||64–73
|-
| rowspan="3" |Beef
|heart|| 113
|-
|liver||39–50
|-
|muscle|| 26–40
|-
| rowspan="3" |Pork
|heart||12–128
|-
|liver||23–54
|-
|muscle||14–45
|-
| rowspan="3" |Chicken
|breast||8–17
|-
| thigh
|24–25
|-
|wing
|11
|-
| rowspan="5" |Fish
|sardine||5–64
|-
| mackerel (red flesh) ||43–67
|-
|mackerel (white flesh)||11–16
|-
|salmon||4–8
|}

===Intake===
In the developed world, the estimated daily intake of CoQ<sub>10</sub> has been determined at 3–6&nbsp;mg per day, derived primarily from meat.{{pmid|20301015}}

South Koreans have an estimated average daily CoQ (Q<sub>9</sub> + Q<sub>10</sub>) intake of 11.6&nbsp;mg/d, derived primarily from kimchi.{{doi|10.1016/j.jfca.2011.03.018|Y.H. Pyo, H.J. Oh: Ubiquinone contents in Korean fermented foods and average daily intakes, 2011}}

===Effect of heat and processing===
Cooking by frying reduces CoQ<sub>10</sub> content by 14–32%.{{pmid|9129255}}

== Legal ==

=== United States (US) ===
CoQ<sub>10</sub> is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of any medical condition.<ref name="NCI">{{cite web |last1= White |first1=J. |date= 14 May 2014 |title= PDQ® Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> |url= http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/coenzymeQ10/HealthProfessional |publisher= [[National Cancer Institute]], [[National Institutes of Health]], [[United States Department of Health and Human Services|U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services]] |access-date= 29 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es11/resources/mitochondrial-disorders-in-children-coenzyme-q10-pdf-1158110303173 |title=Mitochondrial disorders in children: Co-enzyme Q10 |date=28 March 2017 |publisher=National Institute for Health and Care Excellence |location=UK}}</ref> However, it is sold as a dietary supplement in the name of UbiQ 300 & UbiQ 100, not subject to the same regulations as medicinal drugs, and is an ingredient in some cosmetics.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hojerová |first1=J |title=[Coenzyme Q10--its importance, properties and use in nutrition and cosmetics]. |journal=Ceska a Slovenska Farmacie: Casopis Ceske Farmaceuticke Spolecnosti a Slovenske Farmaceuticke Spolecnosti |date=May 2000 |volume=49 |issue=3 |pages=119–23 |pmid=10953455}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and why is it in skin care products? |url=https://www.webmd.com/beauty/qa/what-is-coenzyme-q10-coq10-and-why-is-it-in-skin-care-products |website=WebMD |language=en}}</ref> The manufacture of CoQ<sub>10</sub> is not regulated, and different batches and brands may vary significantly:<ref name="NCI" /> a 2004 laboratory analysis of CoQ<sub>10</sub> supplements on sale in the US found that some did not contain the quantity identified on the product label. Amounts ranged from "no detectable CoQ<sub>10</sub>", through 75% of stated dose, up to a 75% excess.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.consumerlab.com/news/coq10-coenzyme-q10-tests/01-13-2004/ |date= Jan 2004 |title= ConsumerLab.com finds discrepancies in strength of CoQ<sub>10</sub> supplements |website=ConsumerLab.com}}</ref>

==Absorption and Metabolism==
===Absorption===
CoQ<sub>10</sub> is a crystalline powder insoluble in water. Absorption follows the same process as that of lipids; the uptake mechanism appears to be similar to that of vitamin E, another lipid-soluble nutrient. This process in the human body involves secretion into the small intestine of pancreatic enzymes and bile, which facilitates emulsification and micelle formation required for absorption of lipophilic substances.{{pmid|16551570}} Food intake (and the presence of lipids) stimulates bodily biliary excretion of bile acids and greatly enhances absorption of CoQ<sub>10</sub>. Exogenous CoQ<sub>10</sub> is absorbed from the small intestine and is best absorbed if taken with a meal. Serum concentration of CoQ<sub>10</sub> in fed condition is higher than in fasting conditions.{{pmid|17666877}}

=== Metabolism===
A study with <sup>14</sup>C-labeled CoQ<sub>10</sub> in rats showed most of the radioactivity in the liver two hours after oral administration when the peak plasma radioactivity was observed, but CoQ<sub>9</sub> (with only 9 isoprenyl units) is the predominant form of coenzyme Q in rats.<ref>{{cite book |first1=H. |last1=Kishi |first2=N. |last2=Kanamori |first3=S. |last3=Nisii |first4=E. |last4=Hiraoka |first5=T. |last5=Okamoto |first6=T. |last6=Kishi |chapter=Metabolism and Exogenous Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> in vivo and Bioavailability of Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> Preparations in Japan |title=Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q |pages=131–142 |publisher=Elsevier |location=Amsterdam |year=1964}}</ref> It appears that CoQ<sub>10</sub> is metabolised in all tissues, while a major route for its elimination is biliary and fecal excretion. After the withdrawal of CoQ<sub>10</sub> supplementation, the levels return to normal within a few days, irrespective of the type of formulation used.{{pmid|3718593}}

===Pharmacokinetics===
Some reports have been published on the [[Pharmacokinetics|pharmacokinetics]] of CoQ<sub>10</sub>. The [[Maximum Serum Concentration (Cmax)|plasma peak]] can be observed 2–6 hours after oral administration, depending mainly on the design of the study. In some studies, a second plasma peak also was observed at approximately 24 hours after administration, probably due to both enterohepatic recycling and redistribution from the liver to circulation.{{pmid|16551570}} Tomono ''et al''. used deuterium-labeled crystalline CoQ10 to investigate pharmacokinetics in humans and determined an [[Elimination Half-Life|elimination half-time]] of 33 hours.{{pmid|3781673}}

== Biochemical Function ==
CoQ<sub>10</sub> is integral to the electron transport chain on the inner membrane of mitochondria, facilitating the conversion of electrons from food into ATP. Its roles, however, extend beyond energy production. It is essential for uncoupling proteins and controls the permeability transition pore in mitochondria. Additionally, CoQ<sub>10</sub> is involved in extramitochondrial electron transport and affects membrane physicochemical properties. It impacts gene expression, which can alter overall metabolism. The primary alterations in energetic and [[Antioxidant|antioxidant]] functions are believed to underpin its therapeutic effects {{pmid|35199552}}.

== Potential Longevity Benefits ==

=== Lifespan ===

=== Cellular and Molecular Roles ===
As the only endogenous lipid [[Antioxidant|antioxidant]], CoQ<sub>10</sub> is critical in neutralizing free radicals, thus protecting against DNA damage and cellular dysfunction that are symptomatic of aging. By preserving cellular integrity, CoQ<sub>10</sub>'s antioxidant action is proposed to impede aging and potentially extend cellular lifespan.

It also contributes to the regulation of mitochondrial function, such as influencing uncoupling proteins and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, which are crucial for cell survival and [[Apoptosis|apoptosis]], respectively. Such regulation is particularly important as mitochondrial dysfunction is a noted characteristic of aging {{pmid|35199552}}.

== Potential Therapeutic Role ==
CoQ10 has been widely researched for its potential in various health applications, including physical fitness, fertility, antiaging, diabetes management, and heart failure treatment. The therapeutic effects of CoQ10 are attributed to its enhancement of oxidative phosphorylation and its ability to mitigate oxidative stress.

=== [[Neurological Disorders|Neurological Diseases]] ===
Clinical and experimental studies indicate that CoQ<sub>10</sub> supplementation may exert beneficial effects on [[Neurological Disorders|neurological diseases]] such as migraine, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich’s ataxia, and multiple sclerosis.{{pmid|35199552}}

=== Hypertension ===
It is also of interest in the context of central mechanisms controlling blood pressure due to its effects on the brainstem rostral ventrolateral medulla and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, which are related to cardiovascular hypertension.{{pmid|35199552}}

=== Diabetic Retinopathy ===
A particular area of interest is how CoQ<sub>10</sub> might help with a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which is a leading cause of blindness in adults. High blood sugar in diabetes can harm tiny blood vessels in the eye, leading to this condition. The damage causes stress to the eye and can lead to the growth of unhealthy blood vessels, worsening the problem [Citations 55-57]. Since CoQ<sub>10</sub> can help the mitochondria work better and has [[Antioxidant|antioxidant]] properties, it might be useful in treating this eye condition. {{pmid|33641585}}

Phase II clinical trials have been looking at CoQ<sub>10</sub> for an early diabetic retinopathy, also called non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Patients who took 400 mg of CoQ<sub>10</sub> every day for 12 weeks to 6 months (different trials) showed improvements in blood flow and energy production in their cells compared to those who didn’t take it. These findings suggest that CoQ<sub>10</sub> could help slow down the worsening of this eye disease by improving blood supply and energy use in the eye, which could help prevent the eye damage from getting worse. More studies are needed to see if CoQ<sub>10</sub> can help stop diabetic retinopathy from progressing to more severe stages.{{pmid|33641585}}

== Safety and Dosage ==

=== Dosage ===
While there is no established ideal dosage of CoQ<sub>10</sub>, a typical daily dose is 100–200 milligrams. Different formulations have varying declared amounts of CoQ<sub>10</sub> and other ingredients.

=== Safety ===
The safety profile of CoQ<sub>10</sub> is notably benign, with it being well-tolerated even at high doses.{{pmid|35199552}}

=== Side Effects ===
It does not induce serious adverse effects in either humans or experimental animals. Minor side effects may include stomach upset, loss of appetite, nausea, and headaches.{{pmid|35199552}}

=== Interactions ===
CoQ<sub>10</sub>'s interaction with various medications necessitates a consultation with a healthcare professional before beginning supplementation:

*'''Theophylline''': CoQ<sub>10</sub> potential to inhibit the effects of theophylline
*'''Blood thinner warfarin''': CoQ<sub>10</sub> may interfere with warfarin's actions by interacting with cytochrome p450 enzymes thereby reducing the INR, a measure of blood clotting.{{pmid|27012265}} The structure of coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> is very similar to that of vitamin K, which competes with and counteracts warfarin's anticoagulation effects. Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> should be avoided in patients currently taking warfarin due to the increased risk of clotting.{{pmid|20601617}}
*'''Chemotherapy drugs'''{{pmid|35199552}}
==See Also==

*Wikipedia - [[Wikipedia:Coenzyme Q10|Coenzyme Q10]]

== Todo ==

* {{pmid text|32188111}}
* Formulations
* {{pmid text|31687097}}
* {{pmid text|36768907}}

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Orally Consumable Longevity Compounds]]
[[Category:Antioxidant Compounds]]