Age-related changes in plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations and redox state in apparently healthy children and adults.
BACKGROUND
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) is an endogenous enzyme cofactor, which may provide protective benefits as an antioxidant. Because age-related CoQ changes and deficiency states have been described, there is a need to establish normal ranges in healthy children. The objectives of this study are to determine if age-related differences in reduced CoQ (ubiquinol), oxidized CoQ (ubiquinone), and CoQ redox state exist in childhood, and to establish reference intervals for these analytes in healthy children.


METHODS
Apparently healthy children (n=68) were selected from individuals with no history of current acute illness, medically diagnosed disease, or current medication treatment. Self-reported healthy adults (n=106) were selected from the ongoing Princeton Follow-up Study in greater Cincinnati. Participants were assessed for lipid profiles, ubiquinol concentration, ubiquinone concentration, total CoQ concentration, and CoQ redox ratio.


RESULTS
Mean total CoQ and ubiquinol concentrations are similar in younger children (0.2-7.6 years) and adults (29-78 years); however, lipid-adjusted total CoQ concentrations are significantly increased in younger children. Also CoQ redox ratio is significantly increased in younger and older children compared with adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated CoQ and redox ratios in children may be an indication of oxidative stress effects, which are associated with early development of coronary heart disease.
Divisions of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. michael.miles@cchmc.org
Michael V
MV
Miles
Paul S
PS
Horn
Peter H
PH
Tang
John A
JA
Morrison
Lili
L
Miles
Ton
T
DeGrauw
Amadeo J
AJ
Pesce
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003067:Coenzymes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012016:Reference Values; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*
D003067:Coenzymes; D008055:Lipids; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10; C003741:ubiquinol