Coenzyme Q10 deficiency in elderly: Can nutritional supplementation play a role? Mini review

Year 2019, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 166 - 173, 04.01.2019

Angelo Michele Carella , Teresa Marinelli Michele Di Pumpo Giovanni Modola Angelo Benvenuto

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.411682

Abstract

Coenzyme
Q10 (CoQ10), an important mitochondrial redox component, plays a pivotal role
in cellular energy production; moreover, it is the only lipid-soluble
antioxidant endogenously synthesized in humans. Given its function and physiological
importance, it is not surprising that CoQ10 deficiency may result in several
diseases. With aging, humans begin to lose the ability to synthesize CoQ10 from
food, resulting in reduced serum levels
of CoQ10 and contributing to aging-associated symptoms. Poor eating habits,
infections, stress and also some drugs, as beta blockers,
antihypertensive agents and statns,
may reduce serum levels
of CoQ10. Dietary supplementation has been proposed as key strategy to increase
CoQ10 availability, improving health status in elderly; however CoQ10 is not
approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of any medical
condition and it is sold only as a dietary supplement. Aim of the study was to
examine the latest relevant evidences on potential benefits of CoQ10 nutritional
supplement and its implication in improving health status in elderly. There is
evidence that, in elderly, oral administration of CoQ10 reduces oxidative
stress and inflammatory markers and reduces cardiovascular mortality; in
diabetics CoQ10 treatment improves insulin sensitivity and decreases glycated
hemoglobin. Therapeutic benefit from CoQ10 supplementation has also been
obtained in neurodegenerative diseases as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and
Huntington's diseases. CoQ10 supplements could be useful in several aging-
related clinical conditions; however, well standardized long-term and larger
further studies are needed. 

Keywords

coenzyme Q10, elderly, supplementation

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