Coenzyme Q10

Photo: Mostphotos.com

                      Photo: Mostphotos.com

Description

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring antioxidant produced by the body. CoQ10 is utilised by cells for growth and maintenance. As CoQ10 is produced naturally in the body, CoQ10 deficiency is rare in the healthy population. Nevertheless, CoQ10 supplements are widely used and have been studied for various health indications. Research on CoQ10 has focused primarily on cardiovascular disease, although it has also been used in the context of cancer for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, cancer-related fatigue, inflammation and anti-tumour effects. The underlying mechanisms of action are thought to be antioxidant, immunomodulatory and possible anti-inflammatory.

Efficacy

Four systematic reviews and three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) not included in these reviews are available.

Supportive care

Treatment-related cardiotoxicity

Three of five controlled clinical trials (CCTs) included in a SR reported positive effects on surrogate parameters of cardiac function, all studies were of high risk of bias.

Fatigue 

In a SR of two RCTs in breast cancer patients, one RCT (n=236) of CoQ10 reported no improvements of fatigue while one RCT (n=59) of a combination product containing CoQ10 suggested some improvements.

Inflammation 

One SR (n=3 RCTs) reports anti-inflammatory effects of CoQ10 in liver and breast cancer patients (low-certainty evidence).

Antitumour treatment

Tumour recurrence 

One CCT (n=80) reported a significantly reduced risk of developing metastases in melanoma patients receiving CoQ10 + interferon vs interferon alone (CCT=80, low-certainty evidence).

PSA levels

There is conflicting evidence from two RCTs (n=79, n=49) of CoQ10 combination products (low-certainty evidence). 

Safety

CoQ10 is generally safe and well tolerated when taken as a dietary supplement. In cancer care, there is some concern regarding its use before and during chemotherapy in breast cancer populations based on one observational study, which reported that the use of coenzyme Q10 (standalone or in combination with vitamins C, E) was associated with a non-significantly increased hazard of breast cancer recurrence.


 

Description 

CoQ10 is a naturally produced molecule that is found in the membranes of nearly all of the body’s cells. Concentrations are particularly high in the inner mitochondrial membrane (da Silva 2013). CoQ10 is structurally related to vitamins K and E. Its structure is what gives CoQ10 its name: the "Q" refers to the molecule's quinone structure, while the "10" refers to the lipophilic isoprenoid chain of 10 subunits (NCI 2016). The term "ubiquinone" is frequently employed to describe CoQ10, furthermore it is referred to as Vitamin Q10, ubiquinol, ubidecarenon, mitoquinone, adelir, heartcin, neuquinone, and taidecanone. (Garrido-Maraver 2014)

Background

CoQ10 was first isolated in 1957 and then described as a benzoquinone structure one year later (Folkers 1997, Pepping 1999).  It is also available as a dietary supplement, made by microbial fermentation (Cluis 2012), and is mainly used in cardiovascular disease.  Interest in CoQ10 as an agent in cancer care began in the 1960s when studies found lower serum concentrations of CoQ10 in a variety of cancers (NCI 2016).

Ingredients and quality issues

CoQ10 naturally occurs in meat, fatty fish such as sardines and mackerel, eggs, whole-grain cereals, rice, soya products, nuts, and vegetables especially broccoli and spinach (da Silva 2013). The quality and composition of CoQ10 products may differ between manufacturers (Overvad 1999, ConsumerLab.com 2023).

Alleged indications

CoQ10 has been mainly investigated for its use in cardiovascular disease (Al Saaidi 2021; Sui-Ling 2022). Other clinical applications include migraine, fatigue, neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis as well as neuropathy and cancer (Testai 2021).
In the context of cancer, CoQ10 has been purported to have anticancer effects, both as a preventative and treatment agent. (NCI 2016) It has also been reported to support treatment-related side effects such as fatigue and cardiotoxicity.

Application and dosage

Dietary intake of CoQ10 is only 3-10mg/d; the body meets additional need for CoQ10 by means of endogenous synthesis from precursors of cholesterol biosynthesis. As a result, in healthy individuals there is generally no CoQ10 deficiency (Lesser 2013, Potgieter 2013, Kaikkonen 1999, Overvad 1999). The reference range of the CoQ10 concentration in serum/whole blood lies between 433-1,532 mcg/L for adults (HealthMatters 2023).

CoQ10 is sold as a dietary supplement and usually taken orally as a capsule or tablet. It can also be administered intravenously. There are challenges in absorbing Co10 from dietary supplements and different products have yielded different results (López-Lluch 2019). Due to its lipophilic nature, CoQ10 is absorbed more effectively when taken with high-fat foods. Consequently, intravenous CoQ10 is available as lipid preparations (NCI 2016). Typical doses range from 60-1000mg per day for up to 12 weeks. (NatMed 2023) Dosages of 50-3000 mg/day have been used in clinical studies. 

Mechanism of action

CoQ10 has a critical function in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the related production of oxidative energy. In addition, CoQ10’s antioxidant and immunomodulatory mechanisms of action and anti-inflammatory properties have been discussed on the basis of experimental and epidemiological data.

Legal issues

CoQ10 is a nutritional supplement and can be purchased over the counter. 
 

Four systematic reviews (SRs) evaluating the effects of CoQ10 on a range of outcomes such as health-related quality of life, antitumour treatment, and treatment-related adverse effects, are available. (Alimohammadi 2021; Arring 2019; Tafazoli 2017; Roffe 2004). The most recent three SRs were published between 2017 and 2021.  

The Tafazoli 2017 narrative review aimed to evaluate the effects of CoQ10 on a range of outcomes and included all studies from in vitro to clinical. It included the same RCTs as the more recent SRs mentioned above, but the authors did not report quantitative findings; hence its findings cannot be meaningfully interpreted. 

The SRs are described below and in table 1. The SRs all suffered methodological shortcomings including considerable heterogeneity, high risk of bias of the primary studies, which adds to the considerable uncertainty about any therapeutic effects. Further RCTs investigated PSA levels (n=2) and tumour recurrence (n=1) (included in SRs by Grammatikopoulou 2020 and Hackshaw 2015).  

Description of included studies

Supportive care

Treatment-related cardiotoxicity

A systematic review analysed the issue of whether oral administration of CoQ10 improved the tolerability of chemotherapy and reduced adverse events and toxicity (Roffe 2004). The review examined five controlled interventional studies in which patients with different malignant haematological systemic diseases or solid tumours were given CoQ10 at doses of 90-240mg/d concomitantly with anthracycline chemotherapy. Three of the five studies reported positive effects on surrogate parameters of cardiac function. The authors of the review regarded this as potential evidence of CoQ10 reducing the cardiotoxicity of anthracycline chemotherapeutic agents. However, they also determined the risk of bias in the studies to be very high, thus greatly limiting the strength of the findings.

Fatigue

The SR by Arring 2019 evaluated the effects of integrative therapies for cancer-related fatigue and included two RCTs of CoQ10 (one thereof a combination product with amino acids and L-carnitine) in breast cancer patients. 
The first RCT assessed 236 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and planned adjuvant chemotherapy who were randomized to oral supplementation of 300-mg CoQ10 or placebo, each combined with 300-IU vitamin E, divided into 3 daily doses. There were no significant differences between the CoQ10 and placebo arms at 24 weeks for fatigue scores (Lesser 2013).

The second RCT aimed to investigate the efficacy of Inner Power®, containing branched-chain amino acids (2500mg) coenzyme Q10 (30mg) and L-carnitine (50mg) in controlling cancer-related fatigue in 59 breast cancer patients (Iwase 2016). The authors reported that compared with usual care (recommendations for exercise and relaxation), the supplement reduced the worst level of fatigue but had no effect on the average feeling of fatigue. 

Inflammation

The SR by Alimohammadi 2021 evaluated the effects of CoQ10 on serum levels of various inflammatory markers in the large and relatively homogenous sample of breast cancer participants undergoing tamoxifen therapy. The SR included results from 2 RCTs (1 RCT thereof is reported in 4 papers; total number of participants is unclear due to double counting). The SR found some evidence for altered immune function/biomarkers of inflammation such as reductions in vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-2 or matrix metalloproteinase-9; and no effect on tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, or thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. 

One RCT not included in the above SRs (Liu 2016) evaluated effectiveness of various doses of CoQ10 compared with placebo in reducing markers of inflammation in 41 participants with hepatocellular cancer. It reported significantly decreased levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers as well as increased antioxidant enzymes activity after 12 weeks of supplementation with 300mg/day of coenzyme Q10. 

Antitumour treatment 

Tumour recurrence

A two-arm, non-randomised trial compared the effects of CoQ10 (400mg/d, oral) on the recurrence rate in melanoma patients (n=81) who received three years of adjuvant therapy with recombinant IFNα-2b and CoQ10 versus no adjuvant therapy (Rusciani 2007). In the CoQ10 treatment group, the recurrence rate was significantly lower after 5 years of follow-up. The risk of developing metastases was about 10 times lower in IFN+CoQ10 group compared with the IFN group (95% CI: 0.0020–0.6732). Odds ratios computed for stage II vs. stage I and for IFN+CoQ10 vs. IFN therapy were 14.32 (95% CI: 1.7090–120.0029) and 0.078 (95% CI: 0.0093–0.6569), respectively, indicating that the risk of metastasis increased with rising disease stage, and that therapy with IFN+CoQ10 reduced this risk. However, the results are at high risk of bias due to the lack of randomisation and the small patient sample.

PSA Levels

Hoenjet 2005 evaluated the effects of CoQ10 (200mg) in combination with vitamin E (350 mg), Selenium (200 μg), vitamin C (750 mg) over a period of 21 weeks in a sample of 70 prostate cancer patients (N=70) after radical prostatectomy or curative radiotherapy, or without curative treatment. The authors reported that compared with placebo the intervention had no effect on serum PSA concentrations.

Schroder 2005 evaluated the effects of CoQ10 (4mg) in combination with soy (62.5 mg), lycopene (15 mg), and selenium (128 mg) in an RCT of 49 patients with a history of prostate cancer and rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The authors reported that compared with placebo the intervention delayed PSA progression.  
 

Adverse effects

CoQ10 is generally well tolerated. Adverse events are rare; they are mild and transient mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. No serious adverse events have reported in clinical trials. (NatMed 2023). Two reviews of preclinical and clinical data concluded that CoQ10 is safe as a dietary supplement (Hatchcock 2006; Hidaka 2008), the more recent SRs do not report on safety issues. The observed safety level (OSL) is 1200 mg/day, and oral administration for up to 30 months is regarded as safe. (Hatchcock 2006). In children, a maximum daily dose of 10mg/kg body weight is considered safe; in pregnant women, a maximum daily dose of 200mg/day is considered safe (NatMed 2023).

Contraindications

There are no known contraindications for CoQ10 supplements (NatMed 2023).  

Interactions

Theoretically, CoQ10’s antioxidant mechanism of action could impact the efficacy of some chemotherapeutic agents (such as anthracycline and cyclophosphamide) as well as radiotherapy. One observational study conducted with 1,134 patients with breast cancer enrolled in a National Cancer Institute multi-institution clinical trial suggested that the use of antioxidants including coenzyme Q10 (standalone or in combination with vitamins C, E) before and during chemotherapy may be associated with an increased hazard of breast cancer recurrence; and reduced overall survival (although statistically not significant), (Ambrosone 2020).

Although there are individual case reports which suggest that CoQ10 can reduce the efficacy of coumarins (Spigset 1994, Heck 2000, Porterfield 2000), a phenomenon that can be explained by the structural similarity between CoQ10 and Vitamin K (NCI 2016), a small randomised trial showed no change in the INR levels of patients who received coumarins and CoQ10 in doses of up to 100mg/d for four weeks (Engelsen 2003).

Taking CoQ10 can lower the need for insulin in patients with diabetes (Pepping 1999, Kaikkonen 1999) and CoQ10’s might have hypotensive effects which should be taken into account in antihypertensive treatment (NatMed 2023).
 

Al Saadi T, Assaf Y, Farwati M, et al. Coenzyme Q10 for heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Feb 3;(2)(2):CD008684. 

Alimohammadi M, Rahimi A, Faramarzi F, Golpour M, Jafari-Shakib R, Alizadeh-Navaei R, et al. Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on inflammation, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled- trials. Inflammopharmacology 2021;29(3):579-593.

Ambrosone CB, Zirpoli GR, Hutson AD, McCann WE, McCann SE, Barlow WE, et al. Dietary Supplement Use During Chemotherapy and Survival Outcomes of Patients With Breast Cancer Enrolled in a Cooperative Group Clinical Trial (SWOG S0221). J Clin Oncol 2020;38(8):804-814.

Arring NM, Barton DL, Brooks T, Zick SM. Integrative Therapies for Cancer-Related Fatigue. Cancer J 2019;25(5):349-356.

Baggio E, Gandini R, Plancher AC, Passeri M, Carmosino G: Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure. CoQ10 Drug Surveillance Investigators. Mol Aspects Med 1994; 15 Suppl:s287-s294.

Barbieri B, Lund B, Lundstrom B, Scaglione F: Coenzyme Q10 administration increases antibody titer in hepatitis B vaccinated volunteers--a single blind placebo-controlled and randomized clinical study. Biofactors 1999; 9(2-4):351-357.

Chai W, Cooney RV, Franke AA, Shvetsov YB, Caberto CP, Wilkens LR, Le ML, Henderson BE, Kolonel LN, Goodman MT: Plasma coenzyme Q10 levels and postmenopausal breast cancer risk: the multiethnic cohort study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010; 19(9):2351-2356.

Chandran K, Aggarwal D, Migrino RQ, Joseph J, McAllister D, Konorev EA, Antholine WE, Zielonka J, Srinivasan S, Avadhani NG, Kalyanaraman B: Doxorubicin inactivates myocardial cytochrome c oxidase in rats: cardioprotection by Mito-Q. Biophys J 2009; 96(4):1388-1398.

Chen PY, Hou CW, Shibu MA, Day CH, Pai P, Liu ZR, Lin TY, Viswanadha VP, Kuo CH, Huang CY: Protective effect of Co-enzyme Q10 On doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy of rat hearts. Environ Toxicol 2016. doi: 10.1002/tox.22270

Cluis CP, Pinel D, Martin VJ: The production of coenzyme Q10 in microorganisms. Subcell Biochem 2012; 64:303-326.

ConsumerLab.com. Product Review: CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review [online document], 7 August 2023. Accessed on 17 November 2023. 

Cooney RV, Dai Q, Gao YT, Chow WH, Franke AA, Shu XO, Li H, Ji B, Cai Q, Chai W, Zheng W: Low plasma coenzyme Q(10) levels and breast cancer risk in Chinese women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011; 20(6):1124-1130.

da Silva MC, Mendonca LM, Venancio VP, Bianchi ML, Antunes LM: Coenzyme Q10 protects Pc12 cells from cisplatin-induced DNA damage and neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2013; 36:10-16.

El-Sheikh AAK, Morsy MA, Mahmoud MM, Rifaai RA, Abdelrahman AM: Effect of coenzyme-q10 on Doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Adv Pharmacol Sci 2012; 2012:981461.

Engelsen J, Nielsen JD, Hansen KF: [Effect of Coenzyme Q10 and Ginkgo biloba on warfarin dosage in patients on long-term warfarin treatment. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial]. Ugeskr Laeger 2003; 165(18):1868-1871.

Feigin A, Kieburtz K, Como P, Hickey C, Claude K, Abwender D, Zimmerman C, Steinberg K, Shoulson I: Assessment of coenzyme Q10 tolerability in Huntington's disease. Mov Disord 1996; 11(3):321-323.

Folkers K, Hanioka T, Xia LJ, McRee JT, Jr., Langsjoen P: Coenzyme Q10 increases T4/T8 ratios of lymphocytes in ordinary subjects and relevance to patients having the AIDS related complex. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1991; 176(2):786-791.

Folkers K, Osterborg A, Nylander M, Morita M, Mellstedt H: Activities of vitamin Q10 in animal models and a serious deficiency in patients with cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1997; 234(2):296-299.

Folkers K, Shizukuishi S, Takemura K, Drzewoski J, Richardson P, Ellis J, Kuzell WC: Increase in levels of IgG in serum of patients treated with coenzyme Q10. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1982; 38(2):335-338.

Fouad AA, Al-Sultan AI, Refaie SM, Yacoubi MT: Coenzyme Q10 treatment ameliorates acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity in mice. Toxicology 2010; 274(1-3):49-56.

Frei B, Kim MC, Ames BN: Ubiquinol-10 is an effective lipid-soluble antioxidant at physiological concentrations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1990; 87(12):4879-4883.

Fuke C, Krikorian SA, Couris RR. Coenzyme Q10: A review of essential functions and clinical trials. US Pharm 2000;25:28-41.

Garrido-Maraver J, Cordero MD, Oropesa-Avila M, Fernandez VA, de la MM, Delgado PA, de MM, Perez CC, Villanueva PM, Cotan D, Sanchez-Alcazar JA: Coenzyme q10 therapy. Mol Syndromol 2014; 5(3-4):187-197.

Grammatikopoulou MG, Gkiouras K, Papageorgiou S, Myrogiannis I, Mykoniatis I, Papamitsou T, et al. Dietary Factors and Supplements Influencing Prostate Specific-Antigen (PSA) Concentrations in Men with Prostate Cancer and Increased Cancer Risk: An Evidence Analysis Review Based on Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients 2020;12(10).

Hackshaw-McGeagh LE, Perry RE, Leach VA, Qandil S, Jeffreys M, Martin RM, et al. A systematic review of dietary, nutritional, and physical activity interventions for the prevention of prostate cancer progression and mortality. Cancer Causes Control 2015;26(11):1521-50.

Hathcock JN, Shao A: Risk assessment for coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2006; 45(3):282-288.

Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL: Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000; 57(13):1221-1227.

Hidaka T, Fujii K, Funahashi I, Fukutomi N, Hosoe K: Safety assessment of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Biofactors 2008; 32(1-4):199-208.

HM, Health Matters. Coenzyme Q10. [online resource]. Accessed 17th November 2023. 

Hoenjet KM, Dagnelie PC, Delaere KP, Wijckmans NE, Zambon JV, Oosterhof GO. Effect of a nutritional supplement containing vitamin E, selenium, vitamin c and coenzyme Q10 on serum PSA in patients with hormonally untreated carcinoma of the prostate: a randomised placebo-controlled study. Eur Urol. 2005 Apr;47(4):433-9; discussion 439-40. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2004.11.017. 

Iwase S, Kawaguchi T, Yotsumoto D, Doi T, Miyara K, Odagiri H, et al. Efficacy and safety of an amino acid jelly containing coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine in controlling fatigue in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a multi-institutional, randomized, exploratory trial (JORTC-CAM01). Support Care Cancer 2016;24(2):637-646.

Kaikkonen J, Nyyssonen K, Tuomainen TP, Ristonmaa U, Salonen JT: Determinants of plasma coenzyme Q10 in humans. FEBS Lett 1999; 443(2):163-166.

Lesser GJ, Case D, Stark N, Williford S, Giguere J, Garino LA, Naughton MJ, Vitolins MZ, Lively MO, Shaw EG: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Coenzyme Q(10) to Relieve Self-Reported Treatment-Related Fatigue in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Breast Cancer. J Support Oncol 2013; 11(1):31-42.

Liu HT, Huang YC, Cheng SB, Huang YT, Lin PT. Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on antioxidant capacity and inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after surgery: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nutr J. 2016 Oct 6;15(1):85.

Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Folkers K: Partial and complete regression of breast cancer in patients in relation to dosage of coenzyme Q10. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1994; 199(3):1504-1508.

Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Yamamoto T, Folkers K: Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1995; 212(1):172-177.

López-Lluch G, Del Pozo-Cruz J, Sánchez-Cuesta A, Cortés-Rodríguez AB, Navas P. Bioavailability of coenzyme Q10 supplements depends on carrier lipids and solubilization. Nutrition. 2019 Jan;57:133-140. 

Mizuno K, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, Mizuma H, Ataka S, Tahara T, Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kuratsune H, Kajimoto O, Watanabe Y: Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigue. Nutrition 2008; 24(4):293-299.

Molassiotis A, Scott JA, Kearney N, Pud D, Magri M, Selvekerova S, Bruyns I, Fernandez-Ortega P, Panteli V, Margulies A, Gudmundsdottir G, Milovics L, Ozden G, Platin N, Patiraki E: Complementary and alternative medicine use in breast cancer patients in Europe. Support Care Cancer 2006; 14(3):260-267.

NatMed 2023, Natural Medicines Database. Coenzyme Q10 monograph. [online document, requires subscription], 2023. Accessed on 12th December 2023. 

NCI, National Cancer Institute (NIH). Coenzyme Q10 (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version [online document]. Accessed on 2 March 2023.

Nicolson GL: Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Disease: Treatment With Natural Supplements. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2014; 13(4):35-43.

Overvad K, Diamant B, Holm L, Holmer G, Mortensen SA, Stender S: Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease. Eur J Clin Nutr 1999; 53(10):764-770.

Pepping J: Coenzyme Q10. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999; 56(6):519-521.

Porterfield LM: Why did the response to warfarin change? RN 2000; 63(12):107.

Potgieter M, Pretorius E, Pepper MS: Primary and secondary coenzyme Q10 deficiency: the role of therapeutic supplementation. Nutr Rev 2013; 71(3):180-188.

Roffe L, Schmidt K, Ernst E: Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for improved tolerability of cancer treatments: a systematic review. J Clin Oncol 2004; 22(21):4418-4424.

Rusciani L, Proietti I, Paradisi A, Rusciani A, Guerriero G, Mammone A, De GA, Lippa S: Recombinant interferon alpha-2b and coenzyme Q10 as a postsurgical adjuvant therapy for melanoma: a 3-year trial with recombinant interferon-alpha and 5-year follow-up. Melanoma Res 2007; 17(3):177-183.

Rusciani L, Proietti I, Rusciani A, Paradisi A, Sbordoni G, Alfano C, Panunzi S, De GA, Lippa S: Low plasma coenzyme Q10 levels as an independent prognostic factor for melanoma progression. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; 54(2):234-241.

Sachdanandam P: Antiangiogenic and hypolipidemic activity of coenzyme Q10 supplementation to breast cancer patients undergoing Tamoxifen therapy. Biofactors 2008; 32(1-4):151-159.

Schroder FH, Roobol MJ, Boeve ER, de Mutsert R, Zuijdgeestvan Leeuwen SD, Kersten I, Wildhagen MF et al (2005) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in men with prostate cancer and rising PSA: effectiveness of a dietary supplement. Eur Urol 48(6):922–930

Shinozawa S, Gomita Y, Araki Y: Protective effects of various drugs on adriamycin (doxorubicin)-induced toxicity and microsomal lipid peroxidation in mice and rats. Biol Pharm Bull 1993; 16(11):1114-1117.

Spigset O. Reduced effect of warfarin caused by ubidecarenone. Lancet 1994; 344(8933):1372-1373.

Sue-Ling CB, Abel WM, Sue-Ling K. Coenzyme Q10 as Adjunctive Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension: A Systematic Review. J Nutr. 2022 Jul 6;152(7):1666-1674. 

Tafazoli A. Coenzyme Q10 in breast cancer care. Future Oncol 2017;13(11):1035-1041.

Testai L, Martelli A, Flori L, Cicero AFG, Colletti A. Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications beyond Cardiovascular Diseases. Nutrients. 2021 May 17;13(5):1697. doi: 10.3390/nu13051697. PMID: 34067632; PMCID: PMC8156424.

Tran MT, Mitchell TM, Kennedy DT, Giles JT: Role of coenzyme Q10 in chronic heart failure, angina, and hypertension. Pharmacotherapy 2001; 21(7):797-806.

Werbach MR: Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev 2000; 5(2):93-108.

Citation

Pawel Posadzki, CAM Cancer Collaboration. Coenzyme Q10 [online document], June 2024.

Document history

Most recent revision and update in 2023 by Pawel Posadzki and the CAM Cancer Collaboration.
Revised and updated in June 2016 by Mario Rottorf. Assessed as up to date in April 2014 by Barbara Wider. Fully revised and updated in December 2012, September 2011 and August 2009 by Helen Cooke. First published in 2005, authored by Helen Seers and Helen Cooke.

NAFKAM -

Norway's National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine

We work to give you facts about complementary and alternative medicine, so that you can make safer choices for your health.

Read more about NAFKAM

Other websites from NAFKAM: