[KimS]

http://faculty.washington.edu/~ely/coenzq10.html

The biosynthesis of CoQ10 from the amino acid tyrosine is a multistage process requiring at least eight vitamins and several trace elements. Coenzymes are cofactors upon which the comparatively large and complex enzymes absolutely depend for their function. Coenzyme Q10 is the coenzyme for at least three mitochondrial enzymes (complexes I, II and III) as well as enzymes in other parts of the cell. Mitochondrial enzymes of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway are essential for the production of the high-energy phosphate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), upon which all cellular functions depend. The electron and proton transfer functions of the quinone ring are of fundamental importance to all life forms; ubiquinone in the mitochondria of animals, plastoquinone in the chloroplast of plants, and menaquinone in bacteria. The term "bioenergetics" has been used to describe the field of biochemistry looking specifically at cellular energy production. In the related field of free radical chemistry, CoQ10 has been studied in its reduced form (Fig. 1) as a potent antioxidant. The bioenergetics and free radical chemistry of CoQ10 are reviewed in Gian Paolo Littarru's book, Energy and Defense, published in 1994(1)...

It goes on to talk about the history and I urge people to go an read it as it's SO interesting... esp. for people w/ heart issues.

...Significantly decreased levels of CoQ10 have been noted in a wide variety of diseases in both animal and human studies. CoQ10 deficiency may be caused by insufficient dietary CoQ10, impairment in CoQ10 biosynthesis, excessive utilization of CoQ10 by the body, or any combination of the three. Decreased dietary intake is presumed in chronic malnutrition and cachexia(12)...

[annelb]

All Statins deplete Coq10. Strange that a medicine that is supposed to help the heart depletes the vitamin it needs in large amounts for energy. Why do I talk with so many people who are on statins and have never heard of Coq10 (you don't have to answer that - I know the anwer )

Other drugs that deplete Coq10 are red rice yeast, Antipsychotics, Beta Blockers, Clonidine. HMG CoA-Reductase Inhibitors, Hydralazine, Sulfonylureas,
Thiazide Diuretics
http://www.interactionreport.org/depletion.html

Anne

[NancyM]

Thanks for posting that chart!

I've read about Sulfasalazine and folate, but you know, my doctors never told me about it. Fortunately I take a B-vitamin and B12/Folate supplement. I hope it is enough.

[NevadaGeo]

What I found to be an interesting aspect of the fact that statins inhibit the production of COQ10 is that in one of the earliest statin patents awarded to Merck, the patent explains this effect clearly and in fact the patent is specifically for a combo pill, statin + COQ10. I later heard an unsubstianted story that Merck subsequently found out that there was not enough material available for the production of the COQ10 part at a reasonable cost, so they quietly dropped the combo pill lest it interfere with their statin revenues.

Merck's corporate motto is "Where the patient comes first." Ummm

Just thought some might find this bit of trivia interesting.

[annelb]

I heard the same story about Merck but don't know if it is true or not.
Anne

[mrsD]

to Merck. But it was a LONG time ago. The production and chemistry of
CoQ-10 has improved markedly since then. I suspect they could not come
up with a bioavailable form, so dropped the combo. Many studies years ago
did not find much positive effects from oral CoQ-10. But that has changed
recently. For example, the first CoQ-10 supplements were powders, and did not work. Softgel enhanced dosage forms have totally replaced the powders.
I don't think the statin combo would have been a softgel..it would have been a tablet. Drug companies have to prove efficacy now, and so the CoQ-10 was not going to fly at that time.

Some doctors do know about this interaction/depletion by statins. But the
drug reps in general do not inform... what patient is going to shell out at least
$40/month to pay for OTC CoQ-10? When their copay is covering the statin?
Most people I counsel, get very paranoid when they find out that these drugs do harm. I figure the sales would be significantly less, if patients could choose. It is reprehensible that this data is withheld from patients. Totally reprehensible.

Now the pipelines are focusing on HDL raising drugs, since the patents on the old statins are expiring. The beneficial effects of lowering LDLs are not as great as those raising HDLs... so we will see significant direction changes soon.