Indena’s CoQ10 improves muscle strength in elderly statin users: Study

The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Hypertension​ investigated the effect of supplementation on physical performance in older adults with statin-associated asthenia. 

Participants were randomized to receive the supplement or placebo daily for eight weeks, and results showed that consistent dietary supplementation with Ubiqsome improved muscular strength.

“This preliminary clinical evidence confirms the values of our product in the field of cardiovascular health,” said Serena Tongiani, chief product officer at Indena .

“We’ve been working to confirm Ubiqsome as the leader in CoQ10 supplementation, and this independent study indicates its potential in case of asthenia in statin-users.” 

Asthenia and CoQ10​

Taking statins to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood can often lead to asthenia — extreme weakness and a lack of energy.Statins can also lower levels of CoQ10 in the body, and as the levels drop, the side effects of statins increase.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and plays a central role in generation and regulation of cell bioenergy. It is involved in the transferring of electrons within the mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chain and affects adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, a nucleotide that provides energy to drive and support many processes in living cells.

CoQ10 supplementation could decrease muscle breakdown, pain, and discomfort​ for people taking statins. However CoQ10 usually has a low oral bioavailability, due to its poor water solubility, high molecular weight, low solubility in lipids and low intestinal permeability.

The authors of the new study therefore aimed to research the effect of Indena’s ingredient which was formulated with its proprietary technology platform ‘Phytosome’, designed to optimize bioabsorption of phytonutrients.

CoQ10 impacts muscle strength​

The researchers from Italy enrolled 60 subjects (33 males and 27 females) to receive daily supplementation either with a placebo or 150 mg Ubiqsome.

Participants underwent physical examinations at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks, and after the first four weeks of supplementation, both groups significantly improved in asthenia compared to baseline. 

At eight weeks the effect on asthenia was maintained only in the supplemented group. Supplemented patients experienced significant improvements in asthenia (-30.0±20.0%), hand-grip strength (+29.8±3.6%), one-minute sit-to-stand repetitions (+36.4±3.9%), and two-minute steps (11.1±1.8%) (p <0.05 versus baseline and placebo).

“It’s known that statins block the endogenous biosynthesis of cholesterol as well as Coenzyme Q10 by inhibiting the enzyme HMG CoA reductase, resulting in Coenzyme Q10 deficiency,” Laura Bo, external communication manager at Indena, told NutraIngredients. 

“CoQ10 supplementation ameliorated statin-associated muscle symptoms, implying that CoQ10 supplementation may be a complementary approach to manage statin-induced myopathy." 

Indena’s CoQ10​

Ubiqsome, formulated with Indena’s Phytosome technology, is standardized to contain at least 20% CoQ10. Previous research found that Ubiqsome helped optimize CoQ10 levels​ in both human plasma and muscles, providing support for post-exercise recovery.

“​Phytosome is formulated with natural dietary ingredients already existing in the human body (phospholipids) that act reducing the self-aggregation of natural compounds,” Bo explained.

“However, phospholipids tend to aggregate as well in the absence of natural compounds that interact with them, disturbing and preventing this process." 

She explained that bi-directional actions are important to prevent natural compounds and phospholipids ‘packing’, which would reduce absorption by the body.

“This is why Phytosome is designed as a ‘functional solid dispersion’ that allows natural compounds to efficiently interact with the gut ecosystem in terms of absorption and microbiota interactivity,” she noted.

“It thus optimizes bioabsorption without relying on pharmacological adjuvants or structural modification of the ingredients, maintaining tolerability and safety over time.”

Journal: Journal of Hypertension​ 

“Effect of CoEnzyme Q10 on Muscular Strength in Elderly Patients with Statin-Associated Asthenia: A Double-Blind, Ranzomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.”

DOI:10.1097/01.hjh.0000940384.99376.68​

Authors: Cicero, A. Et al.