title: Coenzyme Q10 terclatrate and creatine in chronic heart failure: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have suggested that micronutrient deficiency has some role in the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Oral supplementation with coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) and creatine may reduce mitochondrial dysfunction that contributes to impaired physical performance in CHF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of a mixture of water-soluble CoQ(10) (CoQ(10) terclatrate; Q-ter) and creatine on exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life. Exercise tolerance was measured as total work capacity (kg·m) and peak oxygen consumption (VO(2), mL/min/kg), both from a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Health-related quality of life was measured by the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) in CHF secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%). After baseline assessment, 67 patients with stable CHF were randomized to receive Q-ter 320 mg + creatine 340 mg (n = 35) or placebo (n = 32) once daily for 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At multivariate analysis, 8-week peak VO(2) was significantly higher in the active treatment group than in the placebo group (+1.8 ± 0.9 mL/min/kg, 95% CI: 0.1-3.6, P < 0.05). No untoward effects occurred in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that oral Q-ter and creatine, added to conventional drug therapy, exert some beneficial effect on physical performance in stable systolic CHF. Results may support the design of larger studies aimed at assessing the long-term effects of this treatment on functional status and harder outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy. fumadue@tin.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fumagalli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fattirolli
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guarducci
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cellai
authors.forename: Samuele
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldasseroni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tarantini
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Bari
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masotti
authors.forename: Niccolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marchionni
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011788:Quality of Life; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000172:deficiency; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D003401:Creatine