Affiliations: Cardiac Surgical Research Unit, Alfred Hospital and
Baker Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine,
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Alfred Hospital,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Franklin Rosenfeldt,
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Alfred Hospital, PO Box 315, Prahran,
Victoria 3181, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 9276 3684; Fax: +61 3 9276 2317; E-mail:
f.rosenfeldt@alfred.org.au
Abstract: Coenzyme Q_{10} in physical exercise. We
identified eleven studies in which CoQ_{10} was tested for
an effect on exercise capacity, six showed a modest improvement in exercise
capacity with CoQ_{10} supplementation but five showed no
effect. CoQ_{10} in hypertension. We identified eight
published trials of CoQ_{10} in hypertension. Altogether in
the eight studies the mean decrease in systolic blood pressure was 16 mm Hg and
in diastolic blood pressure, 10 mm Hg. Being devoid of significant side effects
CoQ_{10} may have a role as an adjunct or alternative to
conventional agents in the treatment of hypertension. CoQ_{10} in heart failure. We performed a
randomised double blind placebo-controlled pilot trial of
CoQ_{10} therapy in 35 patients with heart failure. Over 3
months, in the CoQ_{10} patients but not in the placebo
patients there were significant improvements in symptom class and a trend
towards improvements in exercise time. Meta-analysis of randomised trials of coenzyme
Q_{10} in heart failure. In nine randomised trials of
CoQ_{10} in heart failure published up to 2003 there were
non-significant trends towards increased ejection fraction and reduced
mortality. There were insufficient numbers of patients for meaningful results.
To make more definitive conclusions regarding the effect of
CoQ_{10} in cardiac failure we recommend a prospective,
randomised trial with 200–300 patients per study group. Further trials of
CoQ_{10} in physical exercise and in hypertension are
recommended.
