The effect of pravastatin and atorvastatin on coenzyme Q10.
BACKGROUND
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant and plays an important role in the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate. Studies suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors reduce CoQ10 levels; however, no studies have directly compared HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in a randomized crossover fashion.


METHODS
Twelve healthy volunteers received either 20 mg pravastatin (P) or 10 mg atorvastatin (A) for 4 weeks in a randomized crossover fashion. There was a 4- to 8-week washout period between the 2 phases. CoQ10 levels and a lipid profile were obtained.


RESULTS
There was no difference in CoQ10 levels from baseline to post-drug therapy for either P or A (0.61 +/- 0.14 vs 0.62 +/- 0.2 microg/mL and 0.65 +/- 0.22 vs 0.6 +/- 0.12 microg/mL, respectively; P >.05). There was a significant difference in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels from baseline to post-drug therapy for both P and A (97 +/- 21 vs 66 +/- 19 mg/dL and 102 +/- 21 vs 52 +/- 14 mg/dL, respectively; P <.01). There was no significant correlation between LDL and CoQ10.


CONCLUSIONS
P and A did not decrease CoQ10 despite a significant decrease in LDL levels. These findings suggest that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors do not significantly decrease the synthesis of circulating CoQ10 in healthy subjects. Routine supplementation of CoQ10 may not be necessary when HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy is administered.
Bleske
B E
BE
College of Pharmacy, the General Clinical Research Center, the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the University of Michigan Health Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1065, USA. bbleske@umich.edu
Willis
R A
RA
Anthony
M
M
Casselberry
N
N
Datwani
M
M
Uhley
V E
VE
Secontine
S G
SG
Shea
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003067:Coenzymes; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012016:Reference Values; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003067:Coenzymes; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D014280:Triglycerides; D014451:Ubiquinone; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D017035:Pravastatin