AEGiS-GMHC: Common Alternative Therapies: Coenzyme Q10

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Common Alternative Therapies: Coenzyme Q10

Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland

First isolated in cow heart cells, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is found in mammalian tissue, with the highest concentrations in the heart, liver, kidney and muscle. CoQ10 levels are abnormally low in people with congestive heart failure, and in populations with HIV, muscular dystrophy, periodontal disease, immune dysfunction, and immunosuppression caused by the cancer chemotherapy doxorubicin.[1]

CoQ10, which is widely used in Japan, was first tried against heart disease by Per Langsjoen. Langsjoen claimed improved cardiac out-put and stroke volume in heart patients treated with CoQ10.[2]

Folkers and colleagues tried 200mg of CoQ10 a day (oral) in three persons with AIDS and four persons with ARC. Though only one patient completed the seven-month protocol, Folkers reported on five who stayed on CoQ10 for a minimum of four months. T4:T8 ratios for three patients in this small cohort reportedly improved.[3]

No toxicities have been reported from CoQ10 use.

1. Henderson CW. AIDS Therapies. 1993.

2. Folkers K. in Coenzyme Q, , G. Lenaz, ed. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 1985, pp. 457-478.

3. Folkers K, et al. Bioc Biop Res Com. 1988; 153: 888896.

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