AOR Coenzyme Q10 & AOR CoQ10 Plus
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble, crystalline compound with a Molecular weight of 338.44 Daltons. Co Q10 functions as a co-enzyme in the energy-producing metabolic pathways of every cell of the body with a powerful antioxidant activity.
Biological functions
The fact that Co-Q10 is able to accept electrons in such a ubiquitous manner means that that it can serve several key biological functions pertinent to human health. These include:
The Generation of ATP
Co Q10 is critical in generating the synthesis of ATP (or adenosine triphosphate, the energy "currency" of all cells). This process takes place in the mitochondria and involves an intricate and complex cascade of enzymatic reactions called the "electron transfer chain". Indeed, Co-Q10 is most notably found in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion.
Acts as a Redox agent
AOR Coenzyme Q10 keeps other antioxidants (e.g. vitamins E and C) in their reduced active states. For example, as vitamins C and E perform their functions as antioxidants, they themselves become oxidized. Since these vitamins are active in their reduced forms, AOR Coenzyme Q10 recharges them (reduces them) to their active states by accepting electrons.
Antioxidant activity
Biological oxidation is a ubiquitous event that occurs continually in the body, causing havoc and numerous pathological conditions. Oxidation results from the breakdown of oxygen molecules as they combine with other molecules in the body. Such oxidation can be the result of the body's normal metabolism of the foods we eat, or it can occur in the body as a result of external forces such as exercise, radiation, pollution, alcohol or heavy metal intoxication, infections etc. The resulting free radicals are highly reactive molecules, which interfere with enzymatic reactions and cause disruption of cell membranes and even DNA. Co-Q10 has a strong ability to give up electrons quickly and thus acts as a powerful antioxidant against free radicals, and affords protection against LDL oxidation, which is a pivotal step in the cause of atherosclerosis. Co-Q10 also stabilizes cell membranes and platelets.
The use of AOR Coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of heart failure goes back decades. In fact, Co-Q10 has been approved as a drug in Japan for the treatment of congestive heart failure since 1974, with a number of other nations following suite. Placebo-controlled studies to date with Co-Q10 (including one study conducted in Italy which included 2,664 patients with congestive heart failure) have produced what scientists call 'significantly positive results'. These results include diminished levels of fatigue, chest pain, dyspnea and palpitations. Treatment with Co-Q10 was even able to restore normal heart size and function in some patients - primarily those whose onset of congestive heart failure was relatively recent.
There have also been many studies examining the effect of Co-Q10 as an addition to standard medical treatments, particularly those pertaining to hypertension and other manifestations of cardiovascular disease. When Co-Q10 was added as a concurrent treatment alongside the standard drug therapies for these conditions, the result was a significant reduction in the required use of the aforementioned drug therapies in order to alleviate the conditions in question.
Energy and Exercise
CoQ10's antioxidant and membrane stabilizing abilities have been shown to protect skeletal muscle cells from injury. A recent study found that young men training in the intense Japanese sport Kendo had lower serum activity of creatine kinase and lower serum myoglobin concentrations when they were given AOR Coenzyme Q10 supplements. These two markers are associated with skeletal muscle damage, indicating that AOR CoQ10 Plus reduces exercise-induced muscular injury.
Another recent study tested the effects of AOR Coenzyme Q10 on exercise-induced fatigue. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, three crossover design, 17 healthy subjects were given 300 mg CoQ10 for a week before performing a workload trial on a bicycle ergomerter to induce fatigue. To test their physical performance, they performed non-workload trials at maximum velocity for 10 seconds at 30 minutes and 210 minutes of the fatigue-inducing trial. The study found that the decrease in physical performance due to physical fatigue was inhibited in the CoQ10 group compared to the placebo. Also, CoQ10 alleviated the sensation of fatigue compared to the placebo group.
Ensuring Absorption
A critical point to remember is that Co-Q10 is fat-soluble, and that absorption of AOR Coenzyme Q10 has always been a challenge. In fact, well over 60% of orally consumed AOR CoQ10 Plus is excreted in bowel movements and its absorption is not only variable but also dependent on food intake, particularly the lipids present in the food. Absorption is lower when Co-Q10 is consumed on an empty stomach and higher when taken with food that is comprised of high lipid content. In order to overcome this potentially serious impediment to absorption, AORTM has introduced AOR CoQ10 Plus. AOR CoQ10 Plus provides a potent 100mg of Coenzyme Q-10 (ubiquinone) in a softgel comprised of a superior lipid-based delivery system to ensure maximum absorption.
Complications
None reported. Shown to be useful with Beta-blockers, psychotropic drugs including phenothiazines and tricyclic antidepressants. A 1994 Lancet study reported 3 cases where Co Q10 reduced the effect of coumadin. No other cases have been reported. It may be wise to monitor the prothrombin when supplementing with Co Q10.
References
Mizuno K, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, Mizuma H, Ataka S, Tahara T, Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kuratsune H, Kajimoto O, and Watanabe Y. Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigue. Nutrition. 2008;24:293-299.
Kon M, Tanabe K, Akimoto T, Kimura F, Tanimura Y, Shimizu K, Okamoto T and Kono I. Reducing exercise-induced muscular injury in kendo athletes with supplementation of coenzyme Q10. British Journal of Nutrition. 2008;published online ahead of print.
Rosenfeldt FL, Pepe S, Linnane A, Nagley P, Rowland M, Ou R, Marasco S, Lyon W, Esmore D. "Improved outcomes in coronary artery bypass graft surgery with preoperative coenzyme Q10: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial." (In: "Coenzyme Q10 protects the aging heart against stress: studies in rats, human tissues, and patients."). Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002 Apr; 959: 355-9.
Singh RB, Wander GS, Rastogi A, Shukla PK, Mittal A, Sharma JP, Mehrotra SK, Kapoor R, Chopra RK. "Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with acute myocardial infarction." Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1998 Sep; 12(4): 347-53.
Sacher HL, Sacher ML, Landau SW, Kersten R, Dooley F, Sacher A, Sacher M, Dietrick K, Ichkhan K. "The clinical and hemodynamic effects of coenzyme Q10 in congestive cardiomyopathy." Am J Ther. 1997 Feb-Mar; 4(2-3): 66-72.
Okuma K, Furuta I, Ota K. "Protective effect of coenzyme Q10 in cardiotoxicity induced by adriamycin." Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1984 Mar; 11(3): 502-8.
Baggio E, Gandini R, Plancher AC, et al. Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure. Mol Aspects Med. 1994; 15(Suppl):287-294.
Burke BE, Neuenschwander R, Olson RD. "Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension." South Med J. 2001 Nov; 94(11): 1112-7.
