Coenzyme Q10
Test Description Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an enzyme essential to mitochondrial ATP generation and antioxidant function in lipid and mitochondrial membranes. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2003), it has been found to have beneficial effects for mitochondrial disorders, congestive heart failure (CHF), and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In cases of insufficient CoQ10, electron transfer activity of the mitochondria decreases. This results in an energy production inadequate for cell operation. This can be especially stressful for tissues with very high energy demand such as the heart muscle. The role of CoQ10 in myopathy associated with statin use is also being studied. Statins have been shown to create a CoQ10 deficiency, especially in the elderly, since the enzyme typically decreases with age and in those with congestive heart failure. The use of CoQ10 supplementation for statin-associated myopathy is starting to gain support, since dietar...