Bioavailability of Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol in Older Adults
Condition: Absorption
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 1

Summary: 
      Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10) is a marketed supplement in US even though it can be synthesized in
      the body via complicated biochemical pathways. It exists in both reduced and oxidized states,
      namely ubiquinol and ubiquinone, respectively. It is commonly present in all cell membranes.
      The main function of CoQ10 is to participate in energy production. Further, the reduced form
      of CoQ10, ubiquinol, is appreciated as an important lipophilic antioxidant to protect free
      radical induced damages to DNA, lipid, and proteins. Given that older adults have increased
      production of free radicals, suboptimal antioxidant defenses toward free radicals, and a
      decreased capability to replenish utilized CoQ10, CoQ10 supplementation can be one of
      feasible ways to increase CoQ10 status in order adults. Most supplements available for
      consumers are in the oxidized form. While the ubiquinol form is also available, whether the
      reduced form will be more effective to replenish CoQ10 status in older subjects remains to be
      explored. Thus, investigators aimed to examine whether ubiquinol will be more effectively
      absorbed in older adults with a low antioxidant defense status. To pursue this aim,
      investigators will conduct a double blind, randomized, crossover design trail with 5 study
      visits (1 screening visit and 4 study visits). Ten older men (>55 y, BMI: 25-5 kg/m2) with a
      compromised antioxidant defenses will be recruited and complete the trial. Eligible subjects
      will be randomized to receive 200 mg/d ubiquinol or ubiquinone for 2 weeks with 2-week
      washout between crossover. Ubiquinol and ubiquinone in plasma and immune cells in blood will
      be assessed to reveal whether the reduced form, ubiquinol, is more absorbable than the
      oxidized form, ubiquinone in older adults.
    

Detailed description: 
      Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10) is a marketed supplement in US even though it can be synthesized in
      the body via complicated biochemical pathways. It exists in both reduced and oxidized states,
      namely ubiquinol and ubiquinone, respectively. It is commonly present in all cell membranes.
      The main function of CoQ10 is to participate in energy production. Further, the reduced form
      of CoQ10, ubiquinol, is appreciated as an important lipophilic antioxidant to protect free
      radical induced damages to DNA, lipid, and proteins. Given that older adults have increased
      production of free radicals, suboptimal antioxidant defenses toward free radicals, and a
      decreased capability to replenish utilized CoQ10, CoQ10 supplementation can be one of
      feasible ways to increase CoQ10 status in order adults. Most supplements available for
      consumers are in the oxidized form. While the ubiquinol form is also available, whether the
      reduced form will be more effective to replenish CoQ10 status in older subjects remains to be
      explored. Thus, investigators aimed to examine whether ubiquinol will be more effectively
      absorbed in older adults with a low antioxidant defense status. To pursue this aim,
      investigators will conduct a double blind, randomized, crossover design trail with 5 study
      visits (1 screening visit and 4 study visits). Ten older men (>55 y, BMI: 25-5 kg/m2) with a
      compromised antioxidant defenses will be recruited and complete the trial. Eligible subjects
      will be randomized to receive 200 mg/d ubiquinol or ubiquinone for 2 weeks with 2-week
      washout between crossover. Ubiquinol and ubiquinone in plasma and immune cells in blood will
      be assessed to reveal whether the reduced form, ubiquinol, is more absorbable than the
      oxidized form, ubiquinone in older male adults.
    

Intervention name(s): Coenzyme Q10
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): To examine whether 200 mg/d ubiquinol for 14 days increase coenzyme Q10 status by a larger degree than 200 mg/d ubiquinone
Intervention MeSH terms: Ubiquinone; Coenzyme Q10
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: two 14-day intervention phases with a 2-week washout between each phase. randomized to receive 200mg/day ubiquinol or 200mg/day ubiquinone
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary purpose: Other