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Coenzyme Q10 and SAMS

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Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, thereby reducing production of farnesyl pyrophosphate, an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway. The mevalonate pathway ultimately produces both cholesterol and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a protein important for mitochondrial function. This knowledge has prompted the hypothesis that reductions in plasma CoQ10 concentrations contribute to statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS). Consequently, CoQ10 is popular as a form of adjuvant therapy for the treatment of SAMS. Clinical trial evidence evaluating the efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation has been equivocal. A meta-analysis suggests that CoQ10 supplementation is effective, but meta-analyses are dependent on the quality of the included studies and the best study did not demonstrate a CoQ10 benefit in subjects with verified SAMS. CoQ10 supplementation may be useful, however, perhaps as a placebo, in some patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA

    Amanda L. Zaleski

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  1. Amanda L. Zaleski
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Correspondence to Amanda L. Zaleski .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA

    Paul D. Thompson

  2. Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA

    Beth A. Taylor

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Zaleski, A.L. (2020). Coenzyme Q10 and SAMS. In: Thompson, P., Taylor, B. (eds) Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms. Contemporary Cardiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33304-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33304-1_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-33303-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-33304-1

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