coenzyme Q10 and heart failure

Last edited 03/2021 and last reviewed 03/2021

Coenzyme Q10, or ubiquinone, is a non-prescription nutritional supplement

• a fat-soluble molecule that acts as an electron carrier in mitochondria, and as a coenzyme for mitochondrial enzymes
• Coenzyme Q10 deficiency may be associated with a multitude of diseases, including heart failure
• severity of heart failure correlates with the severity of coenzyme Q10 deficiency
• data suggest that the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species are increased in people with heart failure, and coenzyme Q10 may help to reduce these toxic effects because of its antioxidant activity
• Coenzyme Q10 may also have a role in stabilising myocardial calcium-dependent ion channels, and in preventing the consumption of metabolites essential for adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) synthesis

A systematic review concluded (1):

• moderate-quality evidence that coenzyme Q10 probably reduces all-cause mortality and hospitalisation for heart failure
• low-quality evidence of inconclusive results as to whether coenzyme Q10 has an effect on the risk of myocardial infarction, or stroke
• very uncertain whether coenzyme Q10 has an effect on either left ventricular ejection fraction or exercise capacity

Reference:

1. Al Saadi T, Assaf Y, Farwati M, Turkmani K, Al-Mouakeh A, Shebli B, Khoja M, Essali A, Madmani ME. Coenzyme Q10 for heart failure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD008684.