Inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products in New Zealand and Australia.

A total of 200 rice and rice products from New Zealand and Australia were purchased from retail outlets during 2017 for inorganic arsenic analysis by ICP-MS. The survey of foods placed a particular emphasis on products marketed specifically for infants and young. A total of 159 samples (80%) gave positive results for inorganic arsenic, with a mean concentration of 0.

Compound Heterozygous Inheritance of Mutations in Coenzyme Q8A Results in Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxia and Coenzyme Q Deficiency in a Female Sib-Pair.

Autosomal recessive ataxias are characterised by a fundamental loss in coordination of gait with associated atrophy of the cerebellum. There is significant clinical and genetic heterogeneity amongst inherited ataxias; however, an early molecular diagnosis is essential with low-risk treatments available for some of these conditions. We describe two female siblings who presented early in life with unsteady gait and cerebellar atrophy.

Betaine and Trimethylamine-N-Oxide as Predictors of Cardiovascular Outcomes Show Different Patterns in Diabetes Mellitus: An Observational Study.

Background: Betaine is a major osmolyte, also important in methyl group metabolism. Concentrations of betaine, its metabolite dimethylglycine and analog trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in blood are cardiovascular risk markers. Diabetes disturbs betaine: does diabetes alter associations between betaine-related measures and cardiovascular risk?

Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 475 subjects four months after discharge following an acute coronary admission.

Betaine and secondary events in an acute coronary syndrome cohort.

Background: Betaine insufficiency is associated with unfavourable vascular risk profiles in metabolic syndrome patients. We investigated associations between betaine insufficiency and secondary events in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Methods: Plasma (531) and urine (415) samples were collected four months after discharge following an acute coronary event.

The contrasting relationships between betaine and homocysteine in two clinical cohorts are associated with plasma lipids and drug treatments.

Background: Urinary betaine excretion positively correlated with plasma homocysteine in outpatients attending a lipid disorders clinic (lipid clinic study). We aimed to confirm this in subjects with established vascular disease.

Methods: The correlation between betaine excretion and homocysteine was compared in samples collected from subjects 4 months after hospitalization for an acute coronary episode (ACS study, 415 urine samples) and from 158 sequential patients visiting a lipid disorders clinic.

Pharmacokinetic comparison of a generic coenzyme Q₁₀ solubilizate and a formulation with soybean phytosterols.

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is essential for all cells, and deficiency has been implicated in cardiovascular disease. Plant phytosterols inhibit cholesterol absorption, and may thereby also reduce cardiovascular risk. This study compared the relative bioavailability of CoQ₁₀ solubilized in low-dose soybean phytosterols (SterolQ₁₀) with a generic CoQ₁₀ solubilizate.

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.

Plasma lipids and betaine are related in an acute coronary syndrome cohort.

Background: Low plasma betaine has been associated with unfavorable plasma lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk. In some studies raised plasma betaine after supplementation is associated with elevations in plasma lipids. We aimed to measure the relationships between plasma and urine betaine and plasma lipids, and the effects of lipid-lowering drugs on these.

Relationship between plasma coenzyme Q10, asymmetric dimethylarginine and arterial stiffness in patients with phenotypic or genotypic familial hypercholesterolemia on long-term statin therapy.

Objective: We investigated whether statin-treated heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic (FH) patients have lower plasma coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) levels than low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mutation negative FH patients on equivalent statin doses, and whether lower CoQ(10) concentrations are associated with increased arterial stiffness.

Methods: Thirty LDLR mutation negative patients with clinical FH and 30 mutation positive FH patients matched for gender, statin duration and dose, and a further 30 controls were studied. Plasma CoQ(10) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels were measured by HPLC and the augmentation index by pulse wave analysis.

Coenzyme Q10; an adjunctive therapy for congestive heart failure?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is essential for electron transport within the mitochondria and hence for ATP generation and cellular energy production. We recently demonstrated that plasma levels of CoQ10 are an independent predictor of survival in a cohort of 236 patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) followed for a median of 2.69 years.

Coenzyme Q10: an independent predictor of mortality in chronic heart failure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) and survival in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Background: Patients with CHF have low plasma concentrations of CoQ(10), an essential cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport and myocardial energy supply. Additionally, low plasma total cholesterol (TC) concentrations have been associated with higher mortality in heart failure.

Coenzyme Q10: is there a clinical role and a case for measurement?

Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) is an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport pathway, and is also a lipid-soluble antioxidant. It is endogenously synthesised via the mevalonate pathway, and some is obtained from the diet. CoQ(10) supplements are available over the counter from health food shops and pharmacies.

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.

Concentration response to the coenzyme Q supplement Q-Gel in human volunteers.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is essential for every cell in the body, and deficiency has been implicated in many diseases. Studies to confirm the benefit of supplementation require efficacious supplementation. Previously we found Q-Gel to be highly bioavailable.

An investigation of the antioxidant properties and colour of glasshouse grown tomatoes.

The colour and the antioxidant content of five different cultivars of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), grown in glasshouses using commercial hydroponic techniques, were measured in freshly harvested tomatoes and after 2 and 5 days of storage in the dark at 15 degrees C. The two cocktail cultivars of tomatoes, Aranca and Flavourine, were the smallest tomatoes but they contained higher dry matter contents compared with the three standard salad cultivars, Excell, Celero and Dutch Chaser.

Endothelium-ameliorating effects of statin therapy and coenzyme Q10 reductions in chronic heart failure.

Although not currently indicated for chronic heart failure (CHF), statins have been associated with improved outcome in retrospective analysis. However, statin therapy reduces plasma levels of coenzyme Q(10) (ubiquinone), which may have adverse effects on heart failure states. We hypothesized that atorvastatin treatment improves endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure independent of LDL-cholesterol alterations.