Clinical implications of the correlation between coenzyme Q_{10} and vitamin B_{6} status

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Willis, R. | Anthony, M. | Sun, L. | Honse, Y. | Qiao, G.

Affiliations: Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA

Abstract: The endogenous biosynthesis of the quinone nucleus of coenzyme Q_{10} (CoQ_{10}) from tyrosine is dependent on adequate vitamin B_{6} nutriture. Lowered blood and tissue levels of CoQ_{10} have been observed in a number of clinical conditions. Many of these clinical conditions are most prevalent among the elderly. Kalen et al. have shown that blood levels of CoQ_{10} decline with age. Similarly, Kant et al. have shown that indicators of vitamin B_{6} status also decline with age. Blood samples were collected from 29 patients who were not currently being supplemented with either CoQ_{10} or vitamin B_{6}. Mean CoQ_{10} concentrations was 1.1 \pm 0.3 \mug/ml of blood. Mean specific activities of EGOT was 0.30 \pm 0.13 \mumol pyruvate/hr/10^{8} erythrocytes and the mean percent saturation of EGOT with PLP was 78.2 \pm 13.9%. Means for all parameters were within normal ranges. Strong positive correlation was found between CoQ_{10} and the specific activity of EGOT (r ={}0.5787, p <{}0.001) and between CoQ_{10} and the percent saturation of EGOT with PLP (r ={}0.4174, p <{}0.024). Studies are currently in progress to determine the effect of supplementation with vitamin B_{6} of blood CoQ_{10} levels. It appears prudent to recommend that patients receiving supplemental CoQ_{10} be concurrently supplemented with vitamin B_{6} to provide for better endogenous synthesis of CoQ_{10} along with the exogenous CoQ_{10}.

Journal: Biofactors, vol. 9, no. 2-4, pp. 359-363, 1999