Is Coenzyme Q10 another placebo?
Ubiquinone, or coenzyme Q10, has long been considered an effective antioxidant that protects cells from damage caused by free radicals, and is part of many dietary supplements. However, a study conducted by Canadian scientists from McGill University, working under the guidance of Professor Siegfried Hekimi, demonstrated the futility of using this drug.
Ubiquinone is a fat-like compound that is part of all cells of the body. It is necessary for the effective functioning of mitochondria – the energy centers of the cell, synthesizing energy as a result of reactions occurring between nutrients and oxygen. Ubiquinone, considered a powerful antioxidant, has long been recommended for a variety of diseases, as well as as an aging-slowing dietary supplement. Globally, ubiquinone sales amount to hundreds of millions of US dollars per year.
In order to understand how energy metabolism affects aging, the authors created the first line of mice from whose body it is possible to gradually eliminate ubiquinone, and then restore its content to normal values. Due to ubiquinone's role in energy production, its elimination from the body of mice led to the development of severe disease and early death. However, unexpectedly for themselves, the researchers did not find in such animals signs of increased levels of oxidative damage to cell membranes and DNA caused by free radicals – potentially toxic byproducts of oxygen metabolism. Further study of the issue showed that the absence of additional damage is not the result of the launch of any other mechanism of antioxidant protection.
According to Professor Hekimi, the results obtained indicate that one of the most popular actioxidants does not perform the functions attributed to it. People spend a lot of money on dietary supplements, which they could spend on healthy food. Moreover, the belief in the existence of a quick solution to the problem reduces their motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle.
At the same time, the authors demonstrated new aspects of the importance of the role of ubiquinone in the process of energy synthesis in mitochondria. Many patients suffer from mitochondrial diseases caused by the inability of mitochondria to fully perform their function, including due to a lack of ubiquinone. The researchers plan to use their results to develop methods and, possibly, drugs that can increase the amount of ubiquinone in cells or increase the efficiency of the functioning of ubiquinone present in defective mitochondria.
Article by Ying Wang et al. Mitochondrial function and lifespan of mice with controlled ubiquinone biosynthesis is published in the journal Nature Communications.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of McGill University: Popular antioxidant likely ineffective, study finds.
10.03.2015