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Coenzyme Q10 Lessens Muscle-Related Side Effects in Patients on Statins: Presented at ACC
By Jill Stein
ORLANDO, FL -- March 7, 2005 -- Patients with significant myopathy who are taking statin therapy have a significant decrease in myopathic pain after 30 days of supplementation with coenzyme Q10, according to results presented here on March 6th at the American College of Cardiology 54th Annual Scientific Session.
Patricia Kelly, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine, University Hospital Medial Center, Stony Brook, New York, United States, randomized in a double-blind design 41 statin-treated patients with myopathic pain to 30 days of supplementation with 400 IU of vitamin E or 100 mg daily of coenzyme Q10.
"Statin treatment markedly reduces [the incidence of] cardiac events and mortality," Dr. Kelly said. "However, the reported side effects of treatment include myopathy, muscle damage associated with increased levels of creatinine phosphokinase, and abnormalities of liver function."
The researchers conducted the present trial to determine if coenzyme Q10 supplementation would improve muscle related adverse effects in patients on statins. "If coenzyme Q10 supplementation were effective in reducing the symptoms of myopathy associated with statin use, it would be possible for patients to retain the beneficial effects of cholesterol lowering while reducing significant side effects," she added.
The two treatment groups were similar with respect to demographic and clinical parameters.
Pre- and post- vitamin E, pain remained unchanged (3.9 versus 4.4, P = NS). Pre- and post coenzyme Q10, pain improved significantly (6.2 1.7 versus 3.1, P <.001).
Pain improved in three of 20 vitamin E patients and 18 of 21 coenzyme Q 10 patients (P <.001).
There was no significant change in creatinine phosphokinase with treatment in either group nor did these levels correlate with pain severity.
Coenzyme Q10 did not have any effect on lipid levels and was safe and well tolerated.
"This study provides encouraging evidence for the use of coenzymeQ10 in alleviating myopathic pain in patients taking statins," Dr. Kelly said.
Study strengths include the 100% compliance rates, randomized blinded design, use of validated pain scale, and duration of treatment of 4 weeks to ensure adequate absorption of coenzyme Q10, she added.
[Presentation title: Coenzyme Q10 Improves Myopathic Pain in Statin-Treated Patients. Abstract 1001-117]
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