Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations are not decreased in male patients with coronary atherosclerosis |
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Authors: | Lucy P.L. van de Vijver Christine Weber Alwine F.M. Kardinaal Diederick E. Grobbee Hans M.G. Princen Geert van Poppel |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Consumer Research and Epidemiology, TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands;2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;3. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark;4. Julius Centre for Patient Oriented research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands;5. Gaubius Laboratory, TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important mitochondrial electron transfer component and has been postulated to function as a powerful antioxidant protecting LDL from oxidative damage. It could thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus far, beneficial effects of supplementation with CoQ10 have been reported. To study the relation between unsupplemented concentrations of plasma CoQ10 and coronary atherosclerosis, we performed a case-control study among 71 male cases with angiographically documented severe coronary atherosclerosis and 69 healthy male controls free from symptomatic cardiovascular disease and without atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery.Plasma CoQ10 concentrations (mean ± SE) were 0.86 ± 0.04 vs. 0.83 ± 0.04 μmol/l for cases and controls, respectively. The CoQ10/LDL-cholesterol ratio (μmol/mmol) was slightly lower in cases than in controls (0.22 ± 0.01 vs. 0.26 ± 0.03). Differences in CoQ10 concentrations and CoQ10/LDL-cholesterol ratio did not reach significance. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for the risk of coronary atherosclerosis calculated per μmol/l increase of CoQ10 was 1.12 (0.28–4.43) after adjustment for age, smoking habits, total cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure.We conclude that an unsupplemented plasma CoQ10 concentration is not related to risk of coronary atherosclerosis. |
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Keywords: | Plasma coenzyme Q10 ubiquinol coronary atherosclerosis antioxidants LDL oxidation |
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