coenzyme Q10

Last reviewed 03/2021

Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) is an intermediate in the electron carrier chain. It is a protein that is bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane but is freely mobile within the membrane.

It acts to transfer high energy electrons from donators such as NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and fatty acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, to ubiquinone dehydrogenase.

Coenzyme Q10 therefore has a role in the generation of high-energy products such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Vitamin E (a-tocopherol) and coenzyme Q10 are carried by LDL.

Reference:

  1. Colquhoun DM et al. Effects of simvastatin on blood lipids, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 levels and left ventricular function in humans. Eur J Clin Invest. 2005 Apr;35(4):251-8.