The fundamental role of
coenzyme Q(10) (
CoQ(10)) in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its well-acknowledged
antioxidant properties constitute the basis for its clinical applications, although some of its effects may be related to a gene induction mechanism.
Cardiovascular disease is still the main field of study and the latest findings confirm a role of
CoQ(10) in improving endothelial function. The possible relation between
CoQ(10) deficiency and
statin side effects is highly debated, particularly the key issue of whether
CoQ(10) supplementation counteracts
statin myalgias. Furthermore, in cardiac patients, plasma
CoQ(10) was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. Studies on
CoQ(10) and physical exercise have confirmed its effect in improving subjective
fatigue sensation and physical performance and in opposing exercise-related damage. In the field of
mitochondrial myopathies, primary
CoQ(10) deficiencies have been identified, involving different genes of the
CoQ(10) biosynthetic pathway; some of these conditions were found to be highly responsive to
CoQ(10) administration. The initial observations of
CoQ(10) effects in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases have been extended to
Friedreich's ataxia, where
CoQ(10) and other
quinones have been tested.
CoQ(10) is presently being used in a large phase III trial in
Parkinson's disease.
CoQ(10) has been found to improve sperm count and motility on
asthenozoospermia. Moreover, for the first time
CoQ(10) was found to decrease the incidence of
preeclampsia in pregnancy. The ability of
CoQ(10) to mitigate
headache symptoms in adults was also verified in pediatric and adolescent populations.