Reduced Coenzyme Q10 Levels May Lead to Decreased Lung Health

A recent study investigated the role of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in healthy breathing in human subjects. The study also looked at copper and zinc levels as previous research has shown altered copper-to-zinc ratios in subjects with breathing challenges.

In this study, the subjects included 45 individuals with breathing difficulties and 45 healthy smokers who served as the control group. The subjects were evaluated for lung function using the pulmonary function tests known as forced vital capacity (FVC), which is the amount of air one can expel from the lungs with maximal effort, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), which is the amount of air expelled from the lungs with maximal effort in the first second of exhalation. The subjects were also evaluated for C-reactive protein and sedimentation rate, which are markers of inflammation. Additionally, the study measured CoQ10, white blood cell count, copper/zinc ratio, and malondialdehyde, a measure of lipid peroxidation.

The results showed that the pulmonary function tests FVC and FEV1 were lower in the breathing difficulty group compared to the control group. The breathing difficulty group also had higher C-reactive protein levels, sedimentation rate and white blood cell count. More importantly, CoQ10 and the copper-to zinc ratio were lower in the breathing difficulty group, while malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the breathing difficulty group compared to the control group.

The researchers concluded that oxidative stress was increased in the subjects with breathing difficulty exacerbations compared to the control group. They also stated that the decreases in CoQ10 levels and copper/zinc ratio in the patients probably are mediated by inflammatory-like substances.

Reference:

Tanrikulu AC, Abakay A, Evliyaoglu O, Palanci Y. Coenzyme Q10, Copper, Zinc, and Lipid Peroxidation Levels in Serum of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Nov 16. Published Online Ahead of Print.