Clinical implications of the correlation between coenzyme Q 10 and vitamin B 6 status

• Published in: BioFactors (Oxford) Vol. 9; no. 2-4; pp. 359 - 363
• Main Authors: Willis, R., Anthony, M., Sun, L., Honse, Y., Qiao, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-1999
• ISSN: 0951-6433; 1872-8081
• DOI: 10.1002/biof.5520090236

Abstract
The endogenous biosynthesis of the quinone nucleus of coenzyme Q
10
(CoQ
10
) from tyrosine is dependent on adequate vitamin B
6
nutriture. Lowered blood and tissue levels of CoQ
10
have been observed in a number of clinical conditions. Many of these clinical conditions are most prevalent among the elderly. Kalen et al. have shown that blood levels of CoQ
10
decline with age. Similarly, Kant et al. have shown that indicators of vitamin B
6
status also decline with age. Blood samples were collected from 29 patients who were not currently being supplemented with either CoQ
10
or vitamin B
6
. Mean CoQ
10
concentrations was 1.1 ± 0.3 μg/ml of blood. Mean specific activities of EGOT was 0.30 ± 0.13 μmol pyruvate/hr/10
8
erythrocytes and the mean percent saturation of EGOT with PLP was 78.2 ± 13.9%. Means for all parameters were within normal ranges. Strong positive correlation was found between CoQ
10
and the specific activity of EGOT (
r
=0.5787, p <0.001) and between CoQ
10
and the percent saturation of EGOT with PLP (
r
=0.4174, p <0.024). Studies are currently in progress to determine the effect of supplementation with vitamin B
6
of blood CoQ
10
levels. It appears prudent to recommend that patients receiving supplemental CoQ
10
be concurrently supplemented with vitamin B
6
to provide for better endogenous synthesis of CoQ
10
along with the exogenous CoQ
10
.