Coenzyme Q10 therapy before cardiac surgery improves mitochondrial function and in vitro contractility of myocardial tissue

Abstract

Objectives Previous clinical trials suggest that coenzyme Q10 might afford myocardial protection during cardiac surgery. We sought to measure the effect of coenzyme Q10 therapy on coenzyme Q10 levels in serum, atrial trabeculae, and mitochondria; to assess the effect of coenzyme Q10 on mitochondrial function; to test the effect of coenzyme Q 10 in protecting cardiac myocardium against a standard hypoxia-reoxygentation stress in vitro; and to determine whether coenzyme Q 10 therapy improves recovery of the heart after cardiac surgery. Methods Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomized to receive oral coenzyme Q10 (300 mg/d) or placebo for 2 weeks preoperatively. Pectinate tr..