From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2002-07-26 16:49:03 UTC
Subject: CoQ10
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <31037499.1027702143891.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Here is a summary of what I found in the _PDR for Nutritional Supplements_:
Belong to the family known as ubiquinones which are solid, waxy lipophilic (attracted to fats) and water insoluble sunstances occuring in most aerobic organisms sucha s bacteria, plants, and animals and are involved in electron transport and energy production in mitochondria. CoQ10 is the most common form occuring in humans and CoQ9 is the most common form in rats. It does not say what form is most common in ferrets, nor how a form may behave differently in organism which usually use a different structure. (The number relates to the tail structure of the compound.)
In humans they have cardioprotective, cytoprotective (cyto = cell), and neuroprotective activities.
Normally, they are derived from tobacco leaf, or from fermented sugar cane or beets. It does not say whether there may be allergic responses of those who react to these plants (though I expect it's processed too far for that that is no more than a supposition and should be left to wiser and more informed heads than mine).
The mechanism for it's effects remained unknown with some related hypotheses when the text was written, though it is known to be among the compounds with some anitoxidant effects
The decrease with age may be of either of two methods, or perhaps by others unknown. Hypotheses on that score are decresed production, and increased lipid peroxidation.
It is absorbed from the intestine into the lymphatics and form there to the blood stream, but absorption is poor wityh well over 60% passing in humans with the feces. Best absorption happens with a full stomach and and fatty meal, so more must be given in some diets. The main elimination of CoQ10 happens through bile.
Uses and indications: congestive heart failure and less in other cardiovascular disease (over 20 years of studies), to replace the normal levels found in blood that are lost to some meds for cardiovascular disease, in some humans for periodontal disease. There have been claims of other uses but these lack evidence (malignancies, muscular dystrophy, immune dysfunction, obesity inhibition, athletic performance enhancement). For all except the obesity claim there are some anecdotal reports which bear further surdy according to the text. The obesity reduction claim appears to have nothing at all behind it.
There are no contraindications.
It may infere with the effectiveness of Warfarin.
It should be avoided by those who are pregnant or nursing because too little is known.
It may alter the blood glucose levels in Type II diabetics though ti does not appear to do so in Type I, and increased monitoring for lowering blood sugar levels is urged if a blood sugar problem is present.
It can cause nausea, diarrhea, and epigastric distress.
Statin drugs decrease blood levels of this compounnd. Ditto Beta Blockers.
It is thought to perhaops decrease the cardiotoxic effects of Doxorubicin.
It may be useful for Type II Diabetics.
Piperine, a compound in black pepper increases blood levels of CoQ10.
Human doses vary from 5 to 300 mgs depending on the situation and other medications taken.
Again, we don't even know if this is the same form of ubiquinone found in ferrets.