Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Patients that take statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) have depleted coenzyme Q10 levels in the body which results in more inflammation and oxidative stress. Supplementing with coenzyme Q10 improved anti-oxidants levels and decreased inflammation.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide (1,2). Coronary artery disease is a form of cardiovascular disease, where the arteries that supply blood to the actual heart muscle become blocked. This can be due to high levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol, inflammation and oxidative stress(3). CoQ10(Coenzyme Q10) is an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage (4). Recent research has shown that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 can increase antioxidant activity and decrease inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease who are taking statin drugs (1).
Statin drugs are the primary drug used for high LDL levels, especially for patients with coronary heart disease (1). Unfortunately, statin drugs deplete coenzyme Q10 in the body, resulting in more inflammation and oxidative stress, which are contributing factors to coronary heart disease (1,3). This probes the question, “Can supplementing coenzyme Q10 be helpful in patients with coronary artery disease who are taking statins?”
The research included 51 participants with coronary artery disease (identified as having at least 50% stenosis in one major coronary artery) who were currently on statin therapy. The participants were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n=24) or coenzyme Q10 (n=27, 300mg per day) (1).
After 12 weeks of supplementation with coenzyme Q10, the blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (P<0.001) were significantly higher (increasing by 5-fold), while levels remained unchanged in the placebo group (1).
Antioxidant enzymes also increased with coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The antioxidant enzyme SOD (superoxide dismutase) increased by 48.5% (P=0.001), catalase by 9.1% (P=0.009) and glutathione peroxidase by 4.3% (P=0.021) compared to baseline (1). There was no change in the placebo group.
The level of inflammatory marker Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P=0.03) was also significantly lower after coenzyme Q10 supplementation (1). No change was observed in the placebo group.
The above results demonstrate that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (300 mg per day) for 12 weeks increases antioxidant activity and decreases inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease, while taking statin drugs (1). No serious side effects were reported (1).
In conclusion, coenzyme Q10 supplementation significantly increased antioxidant activity and reduced inflammation in participants with coronary artery disease who take statin drugs. Researchers feel patients with coronary artery disease and taking statins might benefit from using coenzyme Q10, especially since no adverse side effects were reported (1). A larger study with more participants is recommended.
Source: Lee, Bor-Jen, et al. “Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.” Nutrition journal 12.1 (2013): 142.
© 2013 Lee et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Posted December 4, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Lee BJ, et al. Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidant and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrition Journal 2013, 12:142; doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-142
- Braunwald E: Shattuck lecture–cardiovascular medicine at the turn of the millennium: triumphs, concerns, and opportunities. N Engl J Med 1997, 337:1360–1369.
- Harrison D, Griendling KG, Landmesser U, Hornig B, Drexlar H: Role of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis. Am J Cardiol 2003, 91:7–11.
- Singh U, Devaraj S, Jialal I: Coenzyme Q10 supplementation and heart failure. Nutr Rev 2007, 1:286–293.
