Influence of coenzyme Q(10) and cerivastatin on the flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery: results of the ENDOTACT study.
OBJECTIVE
Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is the functional prestep in atherosclerosis. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a potent antioxidant (coenzyme Q(10), CoQ(10)) and of cerivastatin on ED of the brachial artery.


RESULTS
Twenty-five male patients with manifest ED (flow-mediated vasodilation [FMD%]<4.5%) were included in this prospective, randomized, cross-over study. ED of the brachial artery was assessed by the use of high-resolution ultrasound. Each patient had to pass through three treatment phases ((1) single therapy with cerivastatin (C), (2) single therapy with CoQ(10), (3) combination therapy). FMD% significantly improved throughout all treatment phases ((1) 3.50+/-4.05% vs. 8.80+/-6.39%, p=0.009; (2) -0.25+/-4.0% vs. 7.06%+/-4.39%, p=0.004; (3) 3.14+/-3.54% vs. 8.82+/-5.78%, p=0.011). C led to a significant decrease of CoQ(10) plasma levels (1.23+/-0.34 vs. 0.87+/-0.39 microg/ml, p=0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate a positive influence of CoQ(10) supplementation on human ED, which appears to be independent of lipid lowering. Although large-scale studies evaluating other antioxidants failed to demonstrate a positive prognostic effect, Q(10) has never been evaluated in larger trials. Experimental as well as clinical results indicate that CoQ(10) warrants further attention in atherosclerosis research.
Kuettner
Axel
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Otfried-Mueller-Str. 10, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
Pieper
Anne
A
Koch
Jürgen
J
Enzmann
Franz
F
Schroeder
Stephen
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003067:Coenzymes; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D003067:Coenzymes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D014451:Ubiquinone; C086276:cerivastatin; C024989:coenzyme Q10