Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Question 1

How many isoprene units are there in CoQ10?

Answer 1

10

Question 2

What is CoQ10 also known as?

Answer 2

Ubiquinone

Question 3

What is the oxidized form of CoQ10? Reduced form?

Answer 3

Oxidized form: ubiquinone (has “O”)

Reduced form: ubiquinol (has “OH”)

Question 4

What are the characteristics of absorption of CoQ10?

Answer 4

• Lipophilic

- Insoluble in aqueous solution

Question 5

What form of CoQ10 is found mostly in the body?

Answer 5

-Ubiquinol form

Question 6

What are the 3 enzymes that keep CoQ10 reduced in the cells and plasma?

Answer 6

• NADH cytochrome reductase
• NADH/NADPH oxidoreductase
• NADPH coenzyme Q reductase

Question 7

How is CoQ10 kept reduced in the mitochondria?

Answer 7

• NADH dehydrogenase (Complex I)

- Succinate dehydrogenase (Complex II)

Question 8

Which form of CoQ10 is best absorbed? Least absorbed?

Answer 8

• Best absorbed: Solubilized (oil) ubiquinol

- Least absorbed: powder ubiquinone

Question 9

What vitamin may interfere with CoQ10 absorption? And what effect does it have on this vitamin?

Answer 9

• Vitamin E

- has a “sparing” effect therefore CoQ10 intake elevates levels of vitamin E.

Question 10

What is the fundamental building block for intracellular synthesis of CoQ10?

Answer 10

-mevalonate

Question 11

What are the cofactors for CoQ10 synthesis?

Answer 11

• Vitamin B6
• Iron
• Magnesium

Question 12

What is the abbreviation of Decaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate transferase?

Answer 12

-Coq2p

Question 13

Where can you find the highest concentrations of CoQ10?

Answer 13

-highly metabolic cells such as cardiac and skeletal m.

Question 14

What is CoQ10’s primary role?

Answer 14

-An intermediate of the ETC in the inner mitochondrial membrane

Question 15

Where is age-associated changes in CoQ10 content most evident?

Answer 15

-mitochondria

Question 16

What organ is most susceptible to CoQ10 deficiency?

Answer 16

-Heart b/c it possesses 2x the concentration of CoQ10 per gram