Component

Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration

Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration. Species, exposure and limitations are retained in each linked claim.

7 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What it acts on

  1. The authors proposed that lower plasma CoQ could reflect loss of lipoprotein carriers rather than a statin-specific depletion mechanism.

    Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration → Cellular coenzyme Q concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/16872244.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2245, "text_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27"}
    experimental_model
    Randomized three-arm parallel study
    exposure
    Simvastatin 40 mg/day, ezetimibe 10 mg/day or both for 14 days
    limitations
    Plasma measurements and correlation; neither tissue CoQ nor mitochondrial dysfunction was demonstrated.
    nutrient_topic
    Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 redox system
    organism
    72 healthy men
    plain_language
    Blood transport and intracellular deficiency are different explanations to test.
    primary_references
    [coq10-p16872244] Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial. (2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16872244/ DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200629080-00007
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Plasma CoQ and lipoprotein concentrations

    Coenzyme Q10: biosynthesis, electron transfer, antioxidant recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 944–955

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Randomized three-arm parallel study · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### coq10-statin-carrier-interpretation The authors proposed that lower plasma CoQ could reflect loss of lipoprotein carriers rather than a statin-specific depletion mechanism. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: Blood transport and intracellular deficiency are different explanations to test. organism: 72 healthy men tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma CoQ and lipoprotein concentrations experimental_model: Randomized three-arm parallel study limitations: Plasma measurements and correlation; neither tissue CoQ nor mitochondrial dysfunction was demonstrated. exposure: Simvastatin 40 mg/day, ezetimibe 10 mg/day or both for 14 days evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/16872244.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2245, "text_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27"} [coq10-p16872244] Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial. (2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16872244/ DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200629080-00007
    Complete structured claim and evidence

What acts on it

  1. Atorvastatin 20 mg reduced plasma coenzyme Q10 by 26.1 percent, while pitavastatin 4 mg did not, despite comparable reductions in cholesterol.

    Atorvastatin → Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    duration
    Crossover phases, length not stated here
    evidence_access
    Primary PubMed abstract and indexed metadata reviewed. Full-text method details not stated here remain unresolved.
    experimental_model
    19 Japanese patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia
    exposure
    Atorvastatin 20 mg or pitavastatin 4 mg, open randomised four-phase crossover
    limitations
    Pitavastatin lowered coenzyme Q10 by 7.7 percent without reaching significance, so this is a difference in degree; no adverse events or liver or muscle enzyme abnormalities were observed with either statin, and the authors state it remains to be seen whether the change relates to long-term safety.
    organism
    19 Japanese patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia
    plain_language
    Atorvastatin 20 mg reduced plasma coenzyme Q10 by 26.1 percent, while pitavastatin 4 mg did not, despite comparable reductions in cholesterol.
    primary_references
    Comparison of effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on plasma coenzyme Q10 in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17957184/ DOI: 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100396
    route
    Oral
    tissue
    Plasma coenzyme Q10

    Atorvastatin: mechanism of action from target occupancy to isoprenoids, transport, muscle and metabolism (2026-09-22) · lines 166–175

    Original AI-assisted curation of twelve primary studies resolved by PubMed title search and cross-checked against live PubMed metadata. Findings obtained with mevastatin, simvastatin or the statin class are recorded against those subjects. Study-specific citations, doses, negative findings and limitations retained. Not publisher full text. · supports · · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## atorvastatin-lowers-plasma-coenzyme-q10 Atorvastatin 20 mg reduced plasma coenzyme Q10 by 26.1 percent, while pitavastatin 4 mg did not, despite comparable reductions in cholesterol. Model/species: 19 Japanese patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia Tissue/system: Plasma coenzyme Q10 Exposure: Atorvastatin 20 mg or pitavastatin 4 mg, open randomised four-phase crossover Route: Oral Duration: Crossover phases, length not stated here Limits: Pitavastatin lowered coenzyme Q10 by 7.7 percent without reaching significance, so this is a difference in degree; no adverse events or liver or muscle enzyme abnormalities were observed with either statin, and the authors state it remains to be seen whether the change relates to long-term safety. Primary reference: Comparison of effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on plasma coenzyme Q10 in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17957184/ DOI: 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100396 Access: Primary PubMed abstract and indexed metadata reviewed. Full-text method details not stated here remain unresolved.
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. The tested water-soluble formulation had 2.4-fold higher baseline-corrected exposure than standard ubiquinone capsules; the ubiquinol-capsule comparison was not statistically significant.

    Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 redox system → Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/32188111.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "651570863e9a81a09c85040d74da26366d5b9f94145d97cac6aad48378597ce6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1662, "text_sha256": "651570863e9a81a09c85040d74da26366d5b9f94145d97cac6aad48378597ce6"}
    experimental_model
    Randomized three-period crossover pharmacokinetic study
    exposure
    Single equivalent 100-mg doses in three formulations
    limitations
    Small single-dose formulation comparison; plasma exposure is not tissue delivery or clinical efficacy. Product-specific findings cannot rank every ubiquinone or ubiquinol product.
    nutrient_topic
    Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 redox system
    organism
    21 healthy adults aged 65-74
    plain_language
    The formulation mattered; the redox-form label alone did not establish superiority.
    primary_references
    [coq10-p32188111] Comparative Bioavailability of Different Coenzyme Q10 Formulations in Healthy Elderly Individuals. (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32188111/ DOI: 10.3390/nu12030784
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Plasma total CoQ and redox state over 48 hours

    Coenzyme Q10: biosynthesis, electron transfer, antioxidant recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 879–890

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Randomized three-period crossover pharmacokinetic study · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### coq10-formulation-exposure The tested water-soluble formulation had 2.4-fold higher baseline-corrected exposure than standard ubiquinone capsules; the ubiquinol-capsule comparison was not statistically significant. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The formulation mattered; the redox-form label alone did not establish superiority. organism: 21 healthy adults aged 65-74 tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma total CoQ and redox state over 48 hours experimental_model: Randomized three-period crossover pharmacokinetic study limitations: Small single-dose formulation comparison; plasma exposure is not tissue delivery or clinical efficacy. Product-specific findings cannot rank every ubiquinone or ubiquinol product. exposure: Single equivalent 100-mg doses in three formulations evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/32188111.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "651570863e9a81a09c85040d74da26366d5b9f94145d97cac6aad48378597ce6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1662, "text_sha256": "651570863e9a81a09c85040d74da26366d5b9f94145d97cac6aad48378597ce6"} [coq10-p32188111] Comparative Bioavailability of Different Coenzyme Q10 Formulations in Healthy Elderly Individuals. (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32188111/ DOI: 10.3390/nu12030784
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. Simvastatin, alone or with ezetimibe, lowered plasma CoQ; CoQ change correlated with LDL-cholesterol change and the CoQ-to-LDL ratio increased.

    Simvastatin → Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/16872244.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2245, "text_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27"}
    experimental_model
    Randomized three-arm parallel study
    exposure
    Simvastatin 40 mg/day, ezetimibe 10 mg/day or both for 14 days
    limitations
    Plasma measurements and correlation; neither tissue CoQ nor mitochondrial dysfunction was demonstrated.
    nutrient_topic
    Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 redox system
    organism
    72 healthy men
    plain_language
    The blood concentration also depends on the particles carrying CoQ.
    primary_references
    [coq10-p16872244] Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial. (2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16872244/ DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200629080-00007
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Plasma CoQ and lipoprotein concentrations

    Coenzyme Q10: biosynthesis, electron transfer, antioxidant recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 931–942

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Randomized three-arm parallel study · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### coq10-statin-plasma-carriers Simvastatin, alone or with ezetimibe, lowered plasma CoQ; CoQ change correlated with LDL-cholesterol change and the CoQ-to-LDL ratio increased. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The blood concentration also depends on the particles carrying CoQ. organism: 72 healthy men tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma CoQ and lipoprotein concentrations experimental_model: Randomized three-arm parallel study limitations: Plasma measurements and correlation; neither tissue CoQ nor mitochondrial dysfunction was demonstrated. exposure: Simvastatin 40 mg/day, ezetimibe 10 mg/day or both for 14 days evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/16872244.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2245, "text_sha256": "65abd11b5f58ce1125f554d52ed5203575d7a3ba0d20b789abce16148f3b5e27"} [coq10-p16872244] Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial. (2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16872244/ DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200629080-00007
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  4. Serum CoQ increased from 1.3 to 5.2 micrograms/mL with ubiquinol, without improved muscle strength or aerobic performance.

    Reduced CoQ10 → Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/25545331.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "2aad217d0053cae8ea41f5be8ee7e0be0fa83f83d779f34e30fabe2a0b29c837", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1976, "text_sha256": "2aad217d0053cae8ea41f5be8ee7e0be0fa83f83d779f34e30fabe2a0b29c837"}
    experimental_model
    Randomized double-blind trial after blinded symptom confirmation
    exposure
    600 mg/day ubiquinol with simvastatin 20 mg/day for eight weeks
    limitations
    Small confirmed-myalgia sample; null outcome is not proof that every other regimen is ineffective.
    nutrient_topic
    Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 redox system
    organism
    41 subjects with confirmed simvastatin myalgia
    plain_language
    A larger blood pool did not guarantee a functional response.
    primary_references
    [coq10-p25545331] A randomized trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with confirmed statin myopathy. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545331/ DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.12.016
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Pain, muscle performance and serum CoQ

    Coenzyme Q10: biosynthesis, electron transfer, antioxidant recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 1178–1189

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Randomized double-blind trial after blinded symptom confirmation · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### coq10-statin-plasma-not-function Serum CoQ increased from 1.3 to 5.2 micrograms/mL with ubiquinol, without improved muscle strength or aerobic performance. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: A larger blood pool did not guarantee a functional response. organism: 41 subjects with confirmed simvastatin myalgia tissue_or_cell_type: Pain, muscle performance and serum CoQ experimental_model: Randomized double-blind trial after blinded symptom confirmation limitations: Small confirmed-myalgia sample; null outcome is not proof that every other regimen is ineffective. exposure: 600 mg/day ubiquinol with simvastatin 20 mg/day for eight weeks evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/25545331.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "2aad217d0053cae8ea41f5be8ee7e0be0fa83f83d779f34e30fabe2a0b29c837", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1976, "text_sha256": "2aad217d0053cae8ea41f5be8ee7e0be0fa83f83d779f34e30fabe2a0b29c837"} [coq10-p25545331] A randomized trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with confirmed statin myopathy. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545331/ DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.12.016
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  5. The 1990 human lovastatin report observed reductions in circulating CoQ10 during drug exposure in five hospitalized patients and a separately monitored volunteer.

    Lovastatin / monacolin K lactone → Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Small uncontrolled clinical series, including pre-existing cardiac disease.
    limitations
    Does not establish causal cardiomyopathy, tissue deficiency or the same effect from a specified red yeast rice product.
    nutrient_topic
    Red yeast rice collection; species, compartment, exposure, co-substrates and manipulation remain explicit. · Red yeast rice
    plain_language
    A constituent has human CoQ observations, with major study limitations.
    primary_references
    [2247468] Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. · 1990 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2247468/ · DOI 10.1073/pnas.87.22.8931

    Red yeast rice: constituents, mevalonate, CoQ and product-specific interactions (2026-09-20) · lines 84–90

    AI-assisted research curation; primary references, access levels and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Small uncontrolled clinical series, including pre-existing cardiac disease. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## red-yeast-rice-human-lovastatin-coq A constituent has human CoQ observations, with major study limitations. The 1990 human lovastatin report observed reductions in circulating CoQ10 during drug exposure in five hospitalized patients and a separately monitored volunteer. Model: Small uncontrolled clinical series, including pre-existing cardiac disease. Limitations: Does not establish causal cardiomyopathy, tissue deficiency or the same effect from a specified red yeast rice product. Evidence access: Primary abstract [2247468] Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. · 1990 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2247468/ · DOI 10.1073/pnas.87.22.8931
    Complete structured claim and evidence

Where it participates (unsigned role)

  1. After four weeks, serum ubiquinone decreased while muscle ubiquinone increased; no participant developed myopathy.

    Simvastatin → Muscle coenzyme Q10 concentration source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/7828383.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e6aac0f5f784ab8a43755c6c878ea010b8673acc19bfa41f7a1272880c745197", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 800, "text_sha256": "e6aac0f5f784ab8a43755c6c878ea010b8673acc19bfa41f7a1272880c745197"}
    experimental_model
    Short-term treatment with serum and muscle sampling
    exposure
    Four weeks of simvastatin
    limitations
    Small short-term study; serum and muscle moved differently. No participants developed myopathy; this does not exclude other regimens or vulnerable patients.
    nutrient_topic
    Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Coenzyme Q10 / CoQ10 redox system
    organism
    Humans with hypercholesterolemia
    plain_language
    A falling blood result did not mean falling muscle supply in this study.
    primary_references
    [coq10-p7828383] Decreases in serum ubiquinone concentrations do not result in reduced levels in muscle tissue during short-term simvastatin treatment in humans. (1995). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7828383/ DOI: 10.1016/0009-9236(95)90266-x
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Serum versus skeletal-muscle CoQ

    Coenzyme Q10: biosynthesis, electron transfer, antioxidant recycling and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 918–929

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Short-term treatment with serum and muscle sampling · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### coq10-statin-serum-muscle After four weeks, serum ubiquinone decreased while muscle ubiquinone increased; no participant developed myopathy. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Coenzyme Q10 research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: A falling blood result did not mean falling muscle supply in this study. organism: Humans with hypercholesterolemia tissue_or_cell_type: Serum versus skeletal-muscle CoQ experimental_model: Short-term treatment with serum and muscle sampling limitations: Small short-term study; serum and muscle moved differently. No participants developed myopathy; this does not exclude other regimens or vulnerable patients. exposure: Four weeks of simvastatin evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/coq10-research/7828383.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e6aac0f5f784ab8a43755c6c878ea010b8673acc19bfa41f7a1272880c745197", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 800, "text_sha256": "e6aac0f5f784ab8a43755c6c878ea010b8673acc19bfa41f7a1272880c745197"} [coq10-p7828383] Decreases in serum ubiquinone concentrations do not result in reduced levels in muscle tissue during short-term simvastatin treatment in humans. (1995). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7828383/ DOI: 10.1016/0009-9236(95)90266-x
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.

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