Coenzyme Q_{10} administration and its potential for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Beal, M. Flint^;

Affiliations: Neurochemistry Laboratory, Neurology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Note: [] Address correspondence to: M. Flint Beal, M.D., Neurology Service, Warren 408, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Abstract: Coenzyme Q_{10} (CoQ_{10}) is an essential cofactor of the electron transport chain as well as an important antioxidant. Previous studies have suggested that it may exert therapeutic effects in patients with known mitochondrial disorders. We investigated whether it can exert neuroprotective effects in a variety of animal models. We have demonstrated that CoQ_{10} can protect against striatal lesions produced by both malonate and 3‐nitropropionic acid. It also protects against MPTP toxicity in mice. It extended survival in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We demonstrated that oral administration can increase plasma levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Oral administration of CoQ_{10} significantly decreased elevated lactate levels in patients with Huntington’s disease. These studies therefore raise the prospect that administration of CoQ_{10} may be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Journal: Biofactors, vol. 9, no. 2-4, pp. 261-266, 1999