Coenzyme Q10 and Cardiovascular Diseases

Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), which plays a key role in the electron transport chain by providing an adequate, efficient supply of energy, has another relevant function as an antioxidant, acting in mitochondria, other cell compartments, and plasma lipoproteins. CoQ(10) deficiency is present in chronic and age-related diseases. In particular, in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), there is a reduced bioavailability of CoQ(10) since statins, one of the most common lipid-lowering drugs, inhibit the common pathway shared by CoQ(10) endogenous biosynthesis and cholesterol biosynthesis. Different clinical trials have analyzed the effect of CoQ(10) supplementation as a treatment to ameliorate these deficiencies in the context of CVDs. In this review, we focus on recent advances in CoQ(10) supplementation and the clinical implications in the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors (such as lipid and lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, or endothelial function) as well as in a therapeutic approach for the reduction of the clinical complications of CVD.