[Statin drugs decrease the plasma level of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) in the organism]

Abstract

In this paper the authors review the relationship and the possible interaction between the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and the CoQ10 (ubiquinone) based on the current literature. The statins are widely used in the clinical practice. Inhibiting the synthesis of mevalonic acid they decrease the plasma cholesterol level. Since mevalonic acid is also required for ubiquinone synthesis statins could influence ubiquinone metabolism. Many studies confirmed the relationship between statin therapy and lower plasma ubiquinone level. Much less data are available about the tissue concentration changes of ubiquinone during statin therapy. The authors try to summarise the consequences of the interaction between statin therapy and ubiquinone metabolism.