Closer Look at a New Study on CoQ10 for Parkinson's Disease Reveals Faults with Study Design, According to VitalineFormulas.com

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2007 JUN 4 -- A new study reported in the Archives of Neurology published online (May, 14, 2007) suggests that CoQ10 may not provide benefits to individuals with Parkinson's disease. These findings contradict results from earlier studies involving a high purity CoQ10 supplement, Vitaline(R) CoQ10.(1)(2) Richard M. Delany, M.D., FACC, and founder of Personalized Preventive Medicine, finds that a closer review of this latest study design reveals important weaknesses, including the use of a short study duration (3 months) and a low daily dosage (300 mg), and failure to use the clinically proven CoQ10 product, Vitaline CoQ10.

One earlier 16-month multi-center, randomized, parallel-group, placebo- controlled, double-blind study, published in the Archives of Neurology, found CoQ10 supplementation reduced the progression of Parkinson's Disease as measured by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) -- which evaluates severity of PD. The most dramatic results were seen in the 1200 mg/day group (the highest dosage), who experienced a 44% less functional decline compared to individuals receiving placebo.(1) Another study, published in 2004, examined the safety and tolerability of escalating dosages of Vitaline CoQ10 (up to 3,000 mg daily). This study discovered that blood levels of CoQ10 reached their peak at 2,400 mg dosage, thereby suggesting increased benefit at this higher dose.(2)

"Although this new study utilized nanoparticular CoQ10, there has been no correlation between nanoparticular dose and a traditional CoQ10 dose. The 300 mg dose utilized in this study might be ineffective simply because it is a very low regimen for Parkinson's Disease," states Dr. Delany.

The second point to consider is the study duration of only 3 months. According to Dr. Delany, "Neurodegenerative disease studies typically span between 6 months to several years. Six months may allow researchers to establish a trend or to evaluate the safety of a product, but three months will not be sufficient to establish benefit."

Although the clinical findings were not positive, the results may be attributed to poor study design. Further analysis using a more effective dosage level and duration may confirm efficacy.

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Low-Dose CoQ10 Supplements Won't Ease Parkinson's
Widely touted remedy had no impact on symptoms, study finds

(SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, May 14, 2007)

WEDNESDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Low doses of an antioxidant called coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), sold as a dietary supplement, do not appear to improve Parkinson's disease symptoms, a German study finds.

It's believed that a malfunction of the mitochondria (the part of a cell that converts food to energy) may play a role in Parkinson's disease. CoQ10 also affects mitochondrial processes, according to background information in the study.

"Because of these functions, CoQ10 has attracted attention concerning neuroprotective actions in neurodegenerative disorders linked to mitochondrial defects or oxidative (oxygen-related) stress, such as Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease," the study authors wrote.

They noted that previous studies had suggested that high doses (1,200 milligrams) of CoQ10 may slow the physical deterioration (such as tremors and movement problems) in people with Parkinson's disease.

In this new study, researchers at the Technical University of Dresden studied the effects of CoQ10 in Parkinson's patients who did not have changes in their motor function and were on stable treatment for the condition.

The patients were divided into two groups. The treatment group of 55 patients took 100 milligrams of CoQ10 three times a day for three months, followed by a two-month "washout" where they did not take the antioxidant. The other 51 patients took a placebo.

Both groups were assessed for Parkinson's symptoms before the start of the study, each month during treatment, and again after the washout period. After three months, blood levels of CoQ10 in the treatment group increased from an average of 0.99 milligrams per liter to 4.46 milligrams per liter.

But the study found that CoQ10 did not improve Parkinson's disease symptoms.

The findings were published online Monday in the Archives of Neurology and are expected to appear in the July print issue of the journal.

I'd discounted the importance of this study for the same reasons. It was a ridiculous study, a waste of good money and time. Made me mad.