> Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the {*filter*} of patients at
risk
> for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

> Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, Coates K, DiMauro S.

> Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians &
Surgeons,
> New York, NY 10032, USA.

> BACKGROUND: Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase
> inhibitors) are widely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and
> coronary heart disease and for the prevention of stroke. There have been
> various adverse effects, most commonly affecting muscle and ranging from
> myalgia to rhabdomyolysis. These adverse effects may be due to a coenzyme
Q(10)
> (CoQ(10)) deficiency because inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis also
> inhibits the synthesis of CoQ(10). OBJECTIVE: To measure CoQ(10) levels in
> {*filter*} from hypercholesterolemic subjects before and after exposure to
> atorvastatin calcium, 80 mg/d, for 14 and 30 days. DESIGN: Prospective
blinded
> study of the effects of short-term exposure to atorvastatin on {*filter*}
levels of
> CoQ(10). SETTING: Stroke center at an academic tertiary care
hospital.Patients
> We examined a cohort of 34 subjects eligible for statin treatment
according to
> National Cholesterol Education Program: {*filter*} Treatment Panel III
criteria.
> RESULTS: The mean +/- SD {*filter*} concentration of CoQ(10) was 1.26 +/- 0.47
micro
> g/mL at baseline, and decreased to 0.62 +/- 0.39 micro g/mL after 30 days
of
> atorvastatin therapy (P<.001). A significant decrease was already
detectable
> after 14 days of treatment (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even brief exposure to
> atorvastatin causes a marked decrease in {*filter*} CoQ(10) concentration.
> Widespread inhibition of CoQ(10) synthesis could explain the most commonly
> reported adverse effects of statins, especially exercise intolerance,
myalgia,
> and myoglobinuria.

> PMID: 15210526 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

> Such study findings are roughly equivalent to "when the faucet turns off,
> the water flow stops."  Necessary to measure the absence of the water,
> though, for all those who will doubt it.

>> 1: Arch Neurol. 2004 Jun;61(6):889-92.  Related Articles, Links

>> Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the {*filter*} of patients at
> risk
>> for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

>> Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, Coates K, DiMauro S.

>> Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians &
> Surgeons,
>> New York, NY 10032, USA.

>> BACKGROUND: Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase
>> inhibitors) are widely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and
>> coronary heart disease and for the prevention of stroke. There have been
>> various adverse effects, most commonly affecting muscle and ranging from
>> myalgia to rhabdomyolysis. These adverse effects may be due to a coenzyme
> Q(10)
>> (CoQ(10)) deficiency because inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis also
>> inhibits the synthesis of CoQ(10). OBJECTIVE: To measure CoQ(10) levels in
>> {*filter*} from hypercholesterolemic subjects before and after exposure to
>> atorvastatin calcium, 80 mg/d, for 14 and 30 days. DESIGN: Prospective
> blinded
>> study of the effects of short-term exposure to atorvastatin on {*filter*}
> levels of
>> CoQ(10). SETTING: Stroke center at an academic tertiary care
> hospital.Patients
>> We examined a cohort of 34 subjects eligible for statin treatment
> according to
>> National Cholesterol Education Program: {*filter*} Treatment Panel III
> criteria.
>> RESULTS: The mean +/- SD {*filter*} concentration of CoQ(10) was 1.26 +/- 0.47
> micro
>> g/mL at baseline, and decreased to 0.62 +/- 0.39 micro g/mL after 30 days
> of
>> atorvastatin therapy (P<.001). A significant decrease was already
> detectable
>> after 14 days of treatment (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even brief exposure to
>> atorvastatin causes a marked decrease in {*filter*} CoQ(10) concentration.
>> Widespread inhibition of CoQ(10) synthesis could explain the most commonly
>> reported adverse effects of statins, especially exercise intolerance,
> myalgia,
>> and myoglobinuria.

>> PMID: 15210526 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

> Doesn't supplementing with CoQ10 help solve the problem of statins
> preventing the body from making it? Something like 100 mg of CoQ10 in
> softgel form?

> > Hardly a surprise finding.  The body creates CoQ10 in the
mevalonate
> > pathway.  Statins interrupt this pathway upstream of the CoQ10
production.
> > This short-circuiting of the process makes it impossible for the
body to
> > produce this nutrient that is so essential to the mitochondria.

> > Such study findings are roughly equivalent to "when the faucet
turns off,
> > the water flow stops."  Necessary to measure the absence of the
water,
> > though, for all those who will doubt it.

> >> 1: Arch Neurol. 2004 Jun;61(6):889-92.  Related Articles, Links

> >> Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the {*filter*} of
patients at
> > risk
> >> for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

> >> Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, Coates K, DiMauro S.

> >> Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians
&
> > Surgeons,
> >> New York, NY 10032, USA.

> >> BACKGROUND: Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A
reductase
> >> inhibitors) are widely used for the treatment of

> >> PMID: 15210526 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

> Doesn't supplementing with CoQ10 help solve the problem of statins
> preventing the body from making it? Something like 100 mg of CoQ10 in
> softgel form?

> > Doesn't supplementing with CoQ10 help solve the problem of statins
> > preventing the body from making it? Something like 100 mg of CoQ10
in
> > softgel form?

> From:
> http://www.***.com/

> "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors used to treat elevated {*filter*}
cholesterol
> levels by blocking cholesterol biosynthesis also block CoQ10
biosynthesis
> (13). The resulting lowering of {*filter*} CoQ10 level is due to the
partially
> shared biosynthetic pathway of CoQ10 and cholesterol. In patients
with
> heart failure this is more than a laboratory observation. It has a
> significant harmful effect which can be negated by {*filter*}CoQ10
> supplementation(14)."

> L.

> Doesn't supplementing with CoQ10 help solve the problem of statins
> preventing the body from making it?