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Current Atherosclerosis Reports
Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports 6/2010

01-11-2010

Coenzyme Q10 and Statin Myalgia: What is the Evidence?

Authors: Emilie Mas, Trevor A. Mori

Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports | Issue 6/2010

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Abstract

Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. However, severe adverse events, including myalgias and rhabdomyolysis, have been reported with statin treatment. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain statin-induced myopathy, including reduction of mevalonate pathway products, induction of apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic predisposition. A decrease in coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), a product of the mevalonate pathway, could contribute to statin induced myopathy. This article reviews the clinical and biochemical features of statin-induced myopathy, the inter-relationship between statins and the concentration of CoQ in plasma and tissues, and whether there is a role for supplementation with CoQ to attenuate statin-induced myopathy.
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Metadata
Title
Coenzyme Q10 and Statin Myalgia: What is the Evidence?
Authors
Emilie Mas
Trevor A. Mori
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Atherosclerosis Reports / Issue 6/2010
Print ISSN: 1523-3804
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6242
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-010-0134-3

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