Coenzyme Q10 and Creatine Show Potential in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Keywords: PARKINSON'S DISEASE, HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE, NEURODEGENERATION, NEUROPROTECTION - Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, Ubiquinone, Creatine
Reference: "Combination therapy with coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases," Yang L, Calingasan NY, et al, J Neurochem, 2009; 109(5): 1427-39. (Address: M. Flint Beal, MD, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 East 68th Street, F610, New York, NY 10021, USA. E-mail: fbeal@med.cornell.edu ).
Summary: In a study involving a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, a rat model of Huntington's disease and a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease, administration of coenzyme Q10 and creatine in combination was found to produce additive neuroprotective effects. Specifically, administration of the 2 agents was found to protect against dopamine depletion in the striatum and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, significant reductions in lipid peroxidation and pathologic alpha-synuclein accumulation in the SNpc neurons was found, as well as reductions in striatal lesion volumes. The treatment was found to significantly block 3-NP-induced impairment of glutathione homeostasis and reduce lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidative damage in the striatum. Moreover, it was found to improve motor performance and extend survival in the mouse model of Huntington's disease. These results suggest that the combination of coenzyme Q10 and creatine hold potential as therapeutic agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.