Coenzyme Q10
About Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, also called ubiquinone because of its presence in virtually all cells, is a fat soluble benzoquinone with a side chain of ten isoprenoid units, from which the number in its name derives. It was identified in 1957 by Frederick Crane and colleagues. In mitochondria it shuttles electrons from complexes I and II to complex III of the electron transport chain, supporting ATP production, and its reduced form, ubiquinol, acts as a membrane antioxidant. The body synthesizes it through the mevalonate pathway, the same pathway that produces cholesterol, so statin medicines that inhibit HMG CoA reductase also lower its levels; trials of supplementation for statin associated muscle symptoms have produced mixed results. Dietary sources include organ meats such as heart and liver, fatty fish and whole grains. Supplements have been studied for heart failure, blood pressure, migraine, Parkinson disease and fertility, with evidence ranging from modest to inconclusive. Coenzyme Q10 is generally well tolerated, and it can reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
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