Role of coenzyme Q10 as adjuvant to statins in treatment of atherosclerosis

Tatins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase constitute the most powerful class of hypolipidemic drugs currently available .Several large clinical trials have shown that these drugs reduce major cardiovascular events by 20-30%. The objective of the current study is to demonstrate the effect of concomitant use of coenzyme Q10 and Lovastatin in treatment of atherosclerosis as a trial to augment the antiatherogenic effect of Lovastatin and to decrease its undesirable effects. Five groups of adult male rabbits were included, an untreated control group, hypercholesterolemic group,hypercholesterolemic group treated with Lovastatin [2 mg /kg/ day], hypercholesterolemic group treated with Co Q10 [3 mg / kg per day] and hypercholesterolemic group treated with both Lovastatin and Co Q10 for 6 weeks .At the end of experiment, serum level of total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides [TG], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and creatine kinase [CK] were estimated. Histopathological evaluation of tissue sections from liver was also performed. Each of Co Q10, Lovastatin and combination of both produced improvement in serum lipids, Co Q10 decreased the hypercholesterolemia induced elevation of serum transaminases while combination of Co Q10 with Lovastatin augmented the antiatherogenic effect of Lovastatin and decreased both Lovastatin induced increase in serum transaminases and Lovastatin induced increase in serum creatine kinase. In conclusion, Co Q10 administration augment the hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects of Lovastatin and improve its important side effects such as myopathy and elevation of serum transaminases