title: Serum coenzyme Q₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and C-reactive protein levels and body mass index in adolescent and premenopausal females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lipid-soluble antioxidants are associated with a lower incidence for many chronic diseases of aging, possibly by preventing damage from chronic inflammation. In the current study, we compared serum levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) between adolescent girls and premenopausal women to assess changes from childhood to midlife.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline serum CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and CRP levels were measured in 207 girls (13-19 years) and 183 premenopausal women (34-47 years) using standard methods and the 2 age groups were compared by t test. The influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and race/ethnicity and interaction effects on serum values were assessed using analysis of covariance. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess associations between pairs of lipid micronutrients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, adolescent girls had significantly lower mean serum CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and CRP levels relative to premenopausal women (CoQ10: 376 vs 544 ng/mL, p < 0.0001; α-tocopherol: 6.9 vs 13.5 μg/mL, p < 0.0001; γ-tocopherol: 1.3 vs 1.7 μg/mL, p < 0.0001; CRP: 1.29 vs 2.13 mg/L, p < 0.0001). The differences in CoQ₁₀ and tocopherols remained significant after adjustment for BMI and race/ethnicity. CoQ₁₀ was significantly and positively correlated to α- and γ-tocopherol, and BMI was positively associated with CRP and γ-tocopherol in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower serum CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and CRP levels in adolescent girls compared to women suggests that adolescents may have a reduced need for antioxidants possibly due to their lower BMI and inflammatory status as indicated by CRP.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences , University of Nebraska-Lincoln , Lincoln , Nebraska.
authors.forename: Weiwen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novotny
authors.forename: Gertraud
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maskarinec
authors.forename: Loic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Le Marchand
authors.forename: Adrian A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Franke
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Cooney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017697:Premenopause; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D014451:Ubiquinone; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol
keywords: C-reactive protein; adolescent girls; body mass index; coenzyme Q10; premenopausal women; tocopherols