title: Coenzyme Q(10) and statin myalgia: what is the evidence?
abstract: Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. However, severe adverse events, including myalgias and rhabdomyolysis, have been reported with statin treatment. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain statin-induced myopathy, including reduction of mevalonate pathway products, induction of apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic predisposition. A decrease in coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ), a product of the mevalonate pathway, could contribute to statin induced myopathy. This article reviews the clinical and biochemical features of statin-induced myopathy, the inter-relationship between statins and the concentration of CoQ in plasma and tissues, and whether there is a role for supplementation with CoQ to attenuate statin-induced myopathy.
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, University of Western Australia, Medical Research Foundation Building Level 4, Rear 50, Murray Street, Perth, WA, 6847, Australia. emilie.mas@uwa.edu.au
authors: Emilie
authors: E
authors: Mas
authors: Trevor A
authors: TA
authors: Mori
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10