Coenzyme Q10 and Statin Myalgia: What is the Evidence?

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 b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current atherosclerosis reports 2010-11, Vol.12 (6), p.407-413
Main Authors: Mas, Emilie, Mori, Trevor A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angiology
Cardiology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1523-3804
1534-6242
DOI:10.1007/s11883-010-0134-3