Low coenzyme Q10 levels in patients with acute cardiovascular disease are associated with long-term mortality

Association of dietary calcium intake at dinner versus breakfast with cardiovascular disease in U.S. adults: the national health and nutrition examination survey, 2003-2018

BACKGROUND

Currently, it is still largely unknown whether the proportion of calcium intake at breakfast and dinner is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary calcium intake at dinner versus breakfast with CVD in a nationally representative sample of US adults.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 36,164 US adults (including 4,040 CVD cases) from the NHANES 2003 to 2018. According to the ratio of dietary calcium intake at dinner and breakfast (Δ = dinner/breakfast), 36,164 participants were divided into five groups. After adjustment for a series of confounder factors, logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between Δ and CVD. Dietary substitution models were used to explore the changes in CVD risk when a 5% dietary calcium intake at dinner was substituted with dietary calcium intake at breakfast.

RESULTS

Compared with participants in the lowest quintile, participants in the highest quintile were more likely to have CVD, with an adjusted OR of CVD of 1.16 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.31). When the total calcium intake remained constant, replacing a 5% dietary calcium intake at dinner with dietary calcium intake at breakfast was associated with a 6% lower risk of CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the lowest quintile of Δ, participants in the highest quintile of Δ were likely to experience CVD in the general population. It is necessary to scientifically allocate dietary calcium intake at breakfast and dinner.

Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Markers, Inflammatory Markers, Lymphocyte Subpopulations, and Clinical Status in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

Scarce data exist on the effects of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) supplementation in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CoQ₁₀ supplementation on oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase, F2-isoprostanes), markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF soluble receptor II, leucocytes, and their subtypes), lymphocyte subpopulations (T helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, including activated T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes), and echocardiographic and clinical parameters in dogs with MMVD. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, longitudinal study, 43 MMVD dogs in stages ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine classification) B2 and ACVIM C and D (congestive heart failure (CHF)) received water-soluble coenzyme Q₁₀ (100 mg twice daily) or placebo for 3 months, and 12 non-supplemented healthy dogs served as controls. All parameters were measured before and after supplementation in MMVD dogs and once in healthy dogs. CoQ₁₀ supplementation had a positive impact on neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, and lymphocyte concentration in our cohort of dogs with CHF (ACVIM C and D). Conclusion: CoQ₁₀ as an oral supplement may have benefits in terms of decreasing inflammation in dogs with MMVD and CHF.

Coenzyme Q10 Reduces Infarct Size in Animal Models of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Meta-Analysis and Summary of Underlying Mechanisms

Objective

Effective interventions that might limit myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury are still lacking. Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) may exert cardioprotective actions that reduce myocardial I/R injury. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the potential cardioprotective effect of CoQ₁₀ in animal models of myocardial I/R injury.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Embase databases from inception to February 2022 to identify animal studies that compared the effect of CoQ₁₀ with vehicle treatment or no treatment on myocardial infarct size in models of myocardial I/R injury. Means and standard deviations of the infarct size measurements were pooled as the weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were also conducted according to animals' species, models' type, and reperfusion time.

Results

Six animal studies (4 in vivo and 2 ex vivo) with 116 animals were included. Pooled analysis suggested that CoQ₁₀ significantly reduced myocardial infarct size by −11.36% (95% CI: −16.82, −5.90, p < 0.0001, I² = 94%) compared with the control group. The significance of the pooled effect estimate was maintained in rats, Hartley guinea pigs, and Yorkshire pigs. However, it became insignificant in the subgroup of rabbits −5.29% (95% CI: −27.83, 17.26; I² = 87%). Furthermore, CoQ₁₀ significantly reduced the myocardial infarct size regardless of model type (either in vivo or ex vivo) and reperfusion time (either ≤ 4 h or >4 h).

Conclusion

Coenzyme Q₁₀ significantly decreased myocardial infarct size by 11.36% compared with the control group in animal models of myocardial I/R injury. This beneficial action was retained regardless of model type and reperfusion time.

The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 as a Part of Standard Therapy on Plasma Concentrations of Ubiquinol, Ubiquinone, Total CoQ10 and its Redox State in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Despite CoQ10 being a powerful antioxidant and its redox state that may characterize the body's antioxidant system, the latter remains unstudied in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective case-control study aimed to investigate the concentrations of ubiquinol, ubiquinone, total CoQ10 and its redox state in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and arterial hypertension (AH) during standard therapy and with the additional prescription of CoQ10.

METHODS

The study included 54 healthy individuals and 26 patients, who were divided into a control group receiving standard therapy and a test group receiving CoQ10 in addition to standard therapy. Quantitative determination of COQ10, ubiquinone and ubiquinol was carried out by HPLC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

It was found that the CoQ10 level in patients was significantly lower than in healthy individuals (on average -32Δ%). In the test group, after treatment, the concentrations of ubiquinol (+53 Δ%), ubiquinone (-28 Δ%), total CoQ10 (+27 Δ%) and redox state (+112 Δ%) were significantly different from the baseline, while in the control group no significant differences were noticed. In the test group after treatment, the levels of total CoQ10 (+25 Δ%), ubiquinol (+43 Δ%), and redox state (+86 Δ%) were statistically significantly higher than in the control group and total CoQ10 concentration did not significantly differ from that in healthy individuals (-12 Δ%).

CONCLUSION

The additional prescription of CoQ10 for patients with IHD significantly increases the level of total CoQ10, which leads to the increase of body antioxidant potential.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation - In ageing and disease

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is also an antioxidant in cellular membranes and lipoproteins. All cells produce CoQ₁₀ by a specialized cytoplasmatic-mitochondrial pathway. CoQ₁₀ deficiency can result from genetic failure or ageing. Some drugs including statins, widely used by inter alia elderly, may inhibit endogenous CoQ₁₀ synthesis. There are also chronic diseases with lower levels of CoQ₁₀ in tissues and organs. High doses of CoQ₁₀ may increase both circulating and intracellular levels, but there are conflicting results regarding bioavailability. Here, we review the current knowledge of CoQ₁₀ biosynthesis and primary and acquired CoQ₁₀ deficiency, and results from clinical trials based on CoQ₁₀ supplementation. There are indications that supplementation positively affects mitochondrial deficiency syndrome and some of the symptoms of ageing. Cardiovascular disease and inflammation appear to be alleviated by the antioxidant effect of CoQ₁₀. There is a need for further studies and well-designed clinical trials, with CoQ₁₀ in a formulation of proven bioavailability, involving a greater number of participants undergoing longer treatments in order to assess the benefits of CoQ₁₀ treatment in neurodegenerative disorders, as well as in metabolic syndrome and its complications.