Coenzyme Q10 and Parkinsonian Syndromes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has an important role as an antioxidant. Being that oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases, several studies addressed the concentrations of CoQ10 in the different tissues of patients with PD and other parkinsonian syndromes (PS), trying to elucidate their value as a marker of these diseases. Other studies addressed the potential therapeutic role of CoQ10 in PD and PS. We underwent a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies measuring tissue CoQ10 concentrations which shows that, compared with controls, PD patients have decreased CoQ10 levels in the cerebellar cortex, platelets, and lymphocytes, increased total and oxidized CoQ10 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and a non-significant trend toward decreased serum/plasma CoQ10 levels. Patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) showed decreased CoQ10 levels in the cerebellar cortex, serum/plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and skin fibroblasts. Patients with Lewy body dementia (LBD) showed decreased cerebellar cortex CoQ10, and those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) had decreased CoQ10 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. A previous meta-analysis of studies addressing the therapeutic effects of CoQ10 in PD showed a lack of improvement in patients with early PD. Results of the treatment with CoQ10 in PSP should be considered preliminary. The potential role of CoQ10 therapy in the MSA and selected groups of PD patients deserves future studies.

Primary Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency-Related Ataxias

“…Moreover, common variants in the Japanese population (p.Val393Ala and p.Leu25Val) and multiple rare variants have been associated with sporadic cases, particularly with a cerebellar MSA phenotype [27][28][29]. Interestingly, decreased coenzyme Q10 levels have also been observed in various tissues of MSA patients not carrying the p.Val393Ala variant [30]. The exact mechanisms linking MSA and Coenzyme Q10 deficiency must still be clarified.…”

Biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease: From Basic Research to Clinical Practice

“…Decreased levels of CoQ10 indicate an increased risk of PD associated with oxidative stress [ 34 , 35 ]. Several studies have found that the levels of total and oxidized CoQ10 in the CSF of patients with PD are significantly higher than those of patients without neurological disorders [ 36 , 37 ], nd the percentage of oxidized CoQ10 of the total CoQ10 (%CoQ10) in the CSF of the PD group was significantly higher than that of HC group [ 38 ]. Because of its potent antioxidant activity, CoQ10 can be classified as a potential substance for the treatment of PD [ 34 ].…”

Is Hearing Loss a Risk Factor for Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease? An English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Analysis

“…Supporting this assertion, consumption of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), which increases ROS production and leads to a sustained inflammatory reaction, can induce Parkinsonism [ 23 ]. Comparably, elevated circulating oxidative stress markers (e.g., ferritin, 8-OhdG and nitrite) and decreased antioxidant levels (e.g., catalase, uric acid, glutathione) have been observed in PD [ 24 , 25 ].…”