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COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Electrocardiographic and Hemodynamic Effects of Coenzyme Q10 in Healthy Individuals: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Cardiovascular Pharmacology Fellow, University of Connecticut and Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT

Stephen Sander, PharmD

Cardiovascular Pharmacology Fellow, University of Connecticut and Hartford Hospital

Deborah Cios, PharmD Student

School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut

Jenny Lipeika, PharmD Student

School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut

Jeffrey Kluger, MD

Director, Heart Rhythm Management, Hartford Hospital

C Michael White, PharmD

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut; Director, Cardiovascular Pharmacology Research Group, Hartford Hospital

Reprints: Dr. White, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour St., CB 309, Hartford, CT 06102, fax 860/545-2277, cmwhite{at}harthosp.org

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenous cofactor required for mitochondrial energy production and touted to treat heart failure and prevent statininduced myopathy. In guinea pig ventricular myocytes, CoQ10 prolongs action potential duration, an effect that might prolong the QTc interval in humans. Additionally, CoQ10 reduced blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the electrocardiographic (ECG) and hemodynamic impact of CoQ10 in healthy individuals.

METHODS: Healthy volunteers (N = 26; 62% male, age 24 ± 3 y) were randomized to receive a single dose of CoQ10 50 mg and matching placebo in a crossover fashion with a 7 day washout period between treatments. Twelve-lead ECGs, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and other hemodynamic parameters (cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index) were evaluated immediately before (baseline) and 1, 3, 5, and 8 hours after ingestion of the study drug. ECG parameters (P wave and QRS complex duration; PR, QT, QTc, and RR intervals) were measured in lead II by one blinded investigator. For each time point, duplicate blood pressure levels were taken manually and then averaged. Hemodynamic parameters were measured using bioelectrical impedance cardiography.

RESULTS: CoQ10 had no effect on any of the evaluated ECG parameters. The maximum postdosing systolic blood pressure showed a statistically significant increase with CoQ10 (117 ± 10 vs 119 ± 10 mm Hg; p = 0.037), an effect driven by increases in cardiac index (3.09 vs 2.95 L/min/m²; p = 0.017). However, blood pressure elevation was most evident at the 5 hour timepoint (116 ± 10 vs 113 ± 11 mm Hg; p = 0.049) and was only transient. There were no differences between groups for maximum postdosing diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS: One dose of CoQ10 does not have any effect on ECG variables and exhibits only mild and transient effect on systolic blood pressure in young, healthy people.

Key Words: coenzyme Q10, electrocardiographic effects, hemodynamic effects, ubiquinone

Published Online, March 6, 2007. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H539