Coenzyme Q10 in Pregnancy

Abstract

Our objectives were to assess the plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in normal pregnancy, in pregnancy with a spontaneous contractile event, in spontaneous abortion and in threatened abortion. Six hundred and fifteen CoQ10 levels were analyzed in 483 pregnant women: 350 patients were employed to design a normal curve; 66 patients with spontaneous contractile activity underwent two or more CoQ10 analyses in different trimesters; 49 patients presented spontaneous abortion, and 18 patients threatened abortion. The normal curve of plasma CoQ10 levels rises during each trimester of pregnancy, while there is a correspondence between a low CoQ10 level and spontaneous abortion. Furthermore we found a statistically significant difference between the plasma CoQ10 value in spontaneous contractile activity, mainly in the third trimester. We found an increase in the plasma CoQ10 level in relation to the contractile activity of the uterine muscle. Further studies are necessary to explain the involvement of this marker on pregnancy in clinical practice.

Lipid-Soluble Antioxidants and Pregnancy: Maternal Serum Levels of Coenzyme Q₁₀, α-Tocopherol and γ-Tocopherol in Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

“…Supplementation with vitamins E and C in women at risk of preeclampsia showed significant beneficial effects [11]. Despite its clinical importance, little has been reported concerning the lipid-soluble antioxidant coenzyme Q 10 in complicated pregnancy [12].…”

Role of Heme Oxygenase, Leptin, Coenzyme Q10 and Trace Elements in Pre-eclamptic Women

“…Increase of CoQ 10 during normal pregnancy most likely depends on the increase in LDL, which is the main carrier of CoQ 10 in plasma [26] and the increase in cholesterol level which is the biosynthetic pathway for CoQ 10 [27].Decrease of CoQ 10 during pre-eclampsia is due to direct reaction with free NO in reversible manner resulting in inhibition of mitochondrial complex I activity [26]. Gürkan and Bozdag-Dündar [28] stated that CoQ 10 reduces blood viscosity and improves blood flow thus reducing the systolic and diastolic pressure.…”

Coenzyme Q10 Fetal Plasma Levels

“…Other authors [21][22][23][24][25][26] have reported improved clinical conditions induced by CoQ10 in heart diseases and muscular pathologies.…”

“…As we previously reported in 350 patients with normal pregnancy, the mean CoQ10 plasma level was 0.61 B 0. 16 [26][27][28][29][30]. The difference from fetal plasmatic behavior is evident: in the fetus the CoQ10 concentration does not increase with increasing gestational age.…”