Coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreases statin-related mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms: a randomized clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Statin use is frequently associated with muscle-related symptoms. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation has yielded conflicting results in decreasing statin myopathy. Herein, we tested whether coenzyme Q10 supplementation could decrease statin-associated muscular pain in a specific group of patients with mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms.


METHODS
Fifty patients treated with statins and reporting muscle pain were recruited. The Q10 group (n=25) received coenzyme Q10 supplementation over a period of 30 days (50 mg twice daily), and the control group (n=25) received placebo. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire was used and blood testing was performed at inclusion in the study and after 30 days of supplementation.


RESULTS
The intensity of muscle pain, measured as the Pain Severity Score (PSS), in the Q10 group was reduced from 3.9±0.4 to 2.9±0.4 (P<0.001). The Pain Interference Score (PIS) after Q10 supplementation was reduced from 4.0±0.4 to 2.6±0.4 (P<0.001). In the placebo group, PSS and PIS did not change. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreased statin-related muscle symptoms in 75% of patients. The relative values of PSS and PIS significantly decreased (-33.1% and -40.3%, respectively) in the Q10 group compared to placebo group (both P<0.05). From baseline, no differences in liver and muscle enzymes or cholesterol values were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results show that coenzyme Q10 supplementation (50 mg twice daily) effectively reduced statin-related mild-to-moderate muscular symptoms, causing lower interference of statin-related muscular symptoms with daily activities.
Department of Vascular Diseases, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Ajda
A
Skarlovnik
Department of Vascular Diseases, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Miodrag
M
Janić
Department of Vascular Diseases, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Mojca
M
Lunder
Department of Vascular Diseases, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Martina
M
Turk
Department of Vascular Diseases, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Mišo
M
Šabovič
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D063806:Myalgia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010919:Placebos; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10