Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (ubidecarenone or ubiquinone) is a cofactor that operates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it participates in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is an antioxidant that acts to protect the cell from oxidative stress and, through the membranes of the lysosome, facilitates the breakdown of cellular waste products.
CoQ10 is the only fat-soluble antioxidant that is synthesized by cells. It is also ingested in the diet and in supplements.
Foods with the highest CoQ10 content are green leafy vegetables (spinach and broccoli), nuts, crustaceans, meat (especially carcasses) More than 60% of ingested Q10 is not assimilated. Absorption increases if it is accompanied by fatty foods. After CoQ10 is absorbed, it is incorporated in the liver and from there it is distributed to different organs and tissues, especially those mentioned above. The terminal elimination half-life of CoQ10 in plasma is approximately 33 hours. CoQ10 is mainly secreted in the bile and excreted in the feces
Although CoQ10 is found in the mitochondrial membrane of all cells in the body, the highest concentration is in the heart, liver, kidneys and muscle tissue. With aging, the body becomes deficient in CoQ10, resulting in various systemic manifestations. At the cellular level, one of the consequences of CoQ10 deficiency is apoptosis, which can be visualized in central nervous system (CNS) tissues.
Diseases affecting the retina and brain such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have shown defects in cell biochemical reactions. cells attributed to reduced levels of CoQ10. Through further research into the pathogenesis of these conditions, the effects of CoQ10 deficiency may be counteracted by supplementation.
From a therapeutic point of view, CoQ10 is proving to have beneficial effects in the recovery of some optic neuropathies (1), ischemic retinopathy of various causes (2), age-related macular degeneration (DEMAE)(3) ), reduces the myopathic effects of statins, improves the evolution of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, protects against oxidative stress and has an anti-aging, anti-inflammatory effect, stimulates the immune system against infections, and has a preventive effect against " "cascade" of cytokines, etc.
Effective supplementation doses range between 100mg and 200mg according to the authors. In some cases it is recommended to do it for life when, when it is removed, a clinical deterioration is observed.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC COLLECTION
1- Coenzyme Q10 treatment improved visual field after homonymous quadrantanopia caused by occipital lobe infarction
Beatriz Fernández-Vegaa,b,c,∗, Héctor González-Iglesias,b,∗∗, José Antonio Vega c,e,Javier Niciezad, Álvaro Fernández-Vega, American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports 13 (2019) 70–75
2- The Use of Vitamins and Coenzyme Q10 for the Treatment of Vascular Occlusion Diseases Affecting the Retina. Fernández-Vega B, Nicieza J, Álvarez-Barrios A, Álvarez L, García M, Fernández-Vega C, Vega JA, González-Iglesias H. Nutrients. 2020 Mar 9;12(3):723. doi: 10.3390/nu12030723. PMID: 32182869 Free PMC article
3- Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular degeneration treated with a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 Ophthalmologica. May-Jun 2005;219(3):154-66. doi:10.1159/000085248 J Feher 1, B Kovacs, I Kovacs, M Schveoller, A Papale, C Balacco Gabrieli
4- Metabolic therapy for early treatment of age-related macular degeneration Orv Hetil. 2007 Dec 2;148(48):2259-68. doi:10.1556/OH.2007.28250.János Fehér 1, Bálint Kovács, Illés Kovács, Mónika Schvöller, Gabrieli Corrado Balacco Abstract
5- Coenzyme Q10 a mitochondrial restorer for various brain disorders Nilima Pradhan 1 2 , Charan Singh 3 2, Arti Singh 4 5
6- Neuroprotection of Coenzyme Q10 in Neurodegenerative Diseases Xifei Yang 1, Yanling Zhang, Hua Xu, Xiaobin Luo, Jun Yu, Jianjun Liu, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
7- Coenzyme Q10 and Neurological Diseases Michelangelo Mancuso 1, Daniele Orsucci 2, Valeria Calsolaro 2, Anna Choub 2, Gabriele Siciliano 2
8- Coenzyme Q10 in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. Mancuso M, Orsucci D, Volpi L, Calsolaro V, Siciliano G. Curr Drug Targets. 2010 Jan;11(1):111-21. doi: 10.2174/138945010790031018. PMID: 20017723 Review.
