Beneficial effects of concomitant administration of coenzyme Q10 with simvastatin in the management of atherosclerosis

ABSTRACT

With the strong correlation between the development of coronary heart disease and elevated levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], therapies that significantly lower lipid levels will be widely prescribed.Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase [statins] 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 simvastatin in treatment of atherosclerosis as a trial to augment the antiatherogenic effect of simvastatin and to decrease its undesirable effects. Five groups of adult male rabbits were included, an untreated control group, hypercholesterolemic group, hypercholesterolemic group treated with simvastatin[2.5 mg / kg/ day], hypercholesterolemic group treated with Co Q10 [3 mg/ kg per day]and hypercholesterolemic group treated with both simvastatin and Co Ql0 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, medium sized and large arteries was also performed. Each of Co Q10 simvastatin 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 simvastatin augmented the antiatherogenic effect of simvastatin and decreased both imvastatin induced increase in serum transaminases and rimvastatiri induced increase in serum creatine kinase. In conclusion, Co Q1O administration augment the hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects of simvastatin and improve its important side effects such as myopathy and elevation of serum transaminases