Coenzyme Q10 administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects.

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 is an essential cofactor of the electron transport chain as well as a potent free radical scavenger in lipid and mitochondrial membranes. Feeding with coenzyme Q10 increased cerebral cortex concentrations in 12- and 24-month-old rats. In 12-month-old rats administration of coenzyme Q10 resulted in significant increases in cerebral cortex mitochondrial concentrations of coenzyme Q10. Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 markedly attenuated striatal lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid and significantly increased life span in a transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These results show that oral administration of coenzyme Q10 increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q10 can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Authors: R T Matthews, L Yang, S Browne, M Baik, M F Beal
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 95 Issue 15 Pg. 8892-7 (Jul 21 1998) ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9671775 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Coenzymes
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Ubiquinone
• Superoxide Dismutase
• coenzyme Q10

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Brain (drug effects, metabolism)
• Coenzymes
• Humans
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Transgenic
• Mitochondria (drug effects, metabolism)
• Neuroprotective Agents (administration & dosage)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred F344
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Superoxide Dismutase (genetics)
• Ubiquinone (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, metabolism)