Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol)

Electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Without CoQ10, electron transfer in the respiratory chain stalls and the mitochondria produce less ATP. Statins inhibit the body's own CoQ10 synthesis via the same metabolic pathway.

What coenzyme Q10 does in the body

The body makes coenzyme Q10 itself: the ring part comes from the amino acid tyrosine, the long side chain from the mevalonate pathway, through which cholesterol is also formed. CoQ10 exists in two forms that constantly convert into each other: ubiquinone (oxidised) takes up electrons and becomes ubiquinol (reduced), which gives them off again. In the inner mitochondrial membrane, CoQ10 in this way collects the electrons from complexes I and II and from fatty acid breakdown and passes them on to complex III. The proton gradient built up in the process drives ATP synthase, which produces most of the ATP. In the blood, CoQ10 is transported mainly in LDL particles.

Low coenzyme Q10 – what happens in the body?

With little CoQ10, the electrons in the respiratory chain are passed on more slowly: the mitochondria produce less ATP, and more electrons escape at the congested complexes I and III, forming reactive oxygen compounds with oxygen. This is felt first in tissues with high energy turnover such as the heart muscle and skeletal muscles, for example as rapid fatigue and muscle weakness. In studies, the CoQ10 content of some tissues decreased with age; statins slow its production because they inhibit the key enzyme of the mevalonate pathway. Because CoQ10 is transported with LDL, the blood level also falls when blood lipids fall.

High coenzyme Q10 – what does it mean?

High levels usually result from taking CoQ10. High blood lipid levels are also associated with higher CoQ10 levels in the blood, because more transport particles are present – which is why the value is often considered relative to cholesterol. A high share of the reduced form ubiquinol shows that the antioxidant reserve is well stocked; a high share of ubiquinone, by contrast, shows that a lot of CoQ10 is currently being used up by oxidative stress.

The interpretation is given in your report.