Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Metabolism in Statin Users Assessed Using (31)P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: a Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: Statins partially block the production of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an essential component for mitochondrial function. Reduced skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity has been proposed to be a cause of statin myalgia and can be measured using (31)phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS). The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of CoQ10 oral supplementation on mitochondrial function in statin users using (31)P-MRS.

DESIGN/SETTING: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 21 adults aged 47-73 were randomized to statin+placebo (n=9) or statin+CoQ10 (n=12). Phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery kinetics of calf muscles were assessed at baseline (off statin and CoQ10) and 4 weeks after randomization to either statin+CoQ10 or statin+placebo.

RESULTS: Baseline and post-treatment PCr recovery kinetics were assessed for 19 participants. After 4 weeks of statin+ CoQ10 or statin+placebo, the overall relative percentage change (100*(baseline-follow up)/baseline) in PCr recovery time was -15.1% compared with baseline among all participants, (p-value=0.258). Participants randomized to statin+placebo (n=9) had a relative percentage change in PCr recovery time of -18.9%, compared to -7.7% among participants (n=10) receiving statin+CoQ10 (p-value=0.448).

CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, there was no significant change in mitochondrial function in patients receiving 4 weeks of statin+CoQ10 oral therapy when compared to patients on statin+placebo.