A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of coenzyme Q10 therapy in hypertensive patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Background: Our aim was to examine the effects of adjunctive coenzyme Q(10) therapy on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in subjects with the metabolic syndrome and inadequate BP control.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week crossover trial, coenzyme Q(10) (100 mg twice daily) or placebo was administrated to 30 subjects with the metabolic syndrome, and inadequate BP control (an average clinic BP of ≥140 systolic mm Hg or ≥130 mm Hg for patients with type 2 diabetes) while taking an unchanged, conventional antihypertensive regimen. Clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP were assessed pre- and post-treatment phases.

Effect of coenzyme Q(10) supplementation on simvastatin-induced myalgia.

Myalgia is the most frequently reported adverse side effect associated with statin therapy and often necessitates reduction in dose, or the cessation of therapy, compromising cardiovascular risk management. One postulated mechanism for statin-related myalgia is mitochondrial dysfunction through the depletion of coenzyme Q(10), a key component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This pilot study evaluated the effect of coenzyme Q(10) supplementation on statin tolerance and myalgia in patients with previous statin-related myalgia.