Coenzyme Q10 therapy in current clinical practice

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring essential compound found in virtually every cell of the human body. CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone because of its quinone structure and ubiquitous presence in nature. 1 It is a lipid soluble substance which is found in cell membranes and is well known for its primary role as an intermediate of the electron transport chain localized in mitochondrial membranes and is vital for aerobic cellular respiration. 2 Adequate amounts of CoQ10 are essential for ATP production and cellular respiration. CoQ10 also acts as an intercellular antioxidant and is present in blood, cell membranes low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins. 1 CoQ10 protects proteins, DNA and membrane lipids. 3 CoQ10 is structurally similar to vitamin K, but still it is not considered a vitamin because it is the synthesized de novo in the body. 1 The first aromatic precursor in the CoQ10 biosynthesis is parahydroxybenzoic acid from the amino acid tyrosine and constitutes its quinoid ring structure. The tail is consist of 10 isoprenoid units which is derived from the mevalonate pathway. 1