Coenzyme Q10 May Play a Role in Heart Health and Mitochondrial Function

VRP Staff

A new study indicates that Coenzyme Q10 may protect the heart and preserve mitochondrial function after cardiac surgery.

Previous clinical trials have suggested that Coenzyme Q10 might afford myocardial protection during heart surgery. Consequently, researchers in the current study measured the effect of CoQ10 therapy on mitochondrial function. In addition, they determined in an in vitro (cell culture) experiment whether CoQ10 could protect heart muscle against the deprivation of oxygen and the reintroduction of oxygen (hypoxia-reoxygenation), a process that puts a large stress on the human body during cardiac surgery. Finally, the scientists wanted to determine whether CoQ10 therapy improves recovery of the heart after cardiac surgery.

For two weeks prior to their operations, 62 subjects undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomized to receive 300 mg per day of oral CoQ10, while another 59 patients received a placebo.

The mitochondria of the subjects were isolated and studied. In addition, connective tissue from atrial appendages was excised and then subjected to 30 minutes of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). The ability to recover from the hypoxia was measured. Postoperative cardiac function was also assessed.

Patients who received CoQ10 had increased levels of this antioxidant in their serum, the excised connective tissue, and in the mitochondria compared to levels seen in the placebo-treated subjects. In addition, the mitochondria of CoQ10-treated subjects worked more efficiently as the CoQ10 appeared to enhance the mitochondrial respiration. In addition, levels of an oxidation product known as malondialdehyde were lower in the mitochondria of the CoQ10-treated subjects compared to the those treated with placebo.

Another improvement occurred in the connective tissue from the atrial appendages. After 30 minutes of hypoxia in vitro, the tissue isolated from patients receiving CoQ10 exhibited a greater recovery compared with tissue from patients receiving placebo.

The researchers concluded, “Preoperative oral coenzyme Q10 therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery increases myocardial and cardiac mitochondrial coenzyme Q10 levels, improves mitochondrial efficiency, and increases myocardial tolerance to in vitro hypoxia-reoxygenation stress.”

Reference:

Rosenfeldt F, Marasco S, Lyon W, Wowk M, Sheeran F, Bailey M, Esmore D, Davis B, Pick A, Rabinov M, Smith J, Nagley P, Pepe S. Coenzyme Q10 therapy before cardiac surgery improves mitochondrial function and in vitro contractility of myocardial tissue. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2005 Jan;129(1):25-32.