Positive correlation between maternal serum coenzyme Q10 levels and infant birth weight.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of maternal serum coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, maternal body weight gain, fat mass gain, and infant birth weight. A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 50 healthy pregnant women (average age: 31.1 years, average body mass index (BMI): 21.3 kg/m(2) at prepregnancy) at each trimester. CoQ10 levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Maternal weight and body composition were measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The CoQ10 levels significantly increased throughout pregnancy from the first trimester to the third trimester (P < 0.001), and correlated with not only the serum cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) but also with the serum acetoacetic acid levels (P < 0.05) in the third trimester. The CoQ10 levels correlated with the maternal weight gain (P < 0.05) and fat mass gain (P < 0.05) from the second to the third trimester, after adjusting for lipid markers, age, and smoking habits. The level of CoQ10 during the third trimester was also significantly associated with the infant birth weight (P < 0.05) after adjusting for gestational age, maternal prepregnancy BMI, and smoking habits. Therefore, it is concluded that the level of maternal CoQ10 is positively associated with fetal growth, balancing rapid metabolic changes in the last half of a normal pregnancy.

Determination of serum 7-ketocholesterol concentrations and their relationships with coronary multiple risks in diabetes mellitus.

Oxysterols have cytotoxic effects and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. To examine association between 7-ketocholesterol and diabetes mellitus, and other coronary risk factors, we developed a reliable quantitative method to measure serum 7-ketocholesterol (s-7KCHO) and studied s-7KCHO in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The s-7KCHO was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. The s-7KCHO was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (n=137, 33.8 ng/ml) compared to non-diabetic healthy subjects (n=89, 16.1 ng/ml). Patients with T2DM were divided into two groups with two or more than two risk factors (defined as multiple risk factors group) and with zero or one risk factor (non-multiple risk factors group). The s-7KCHO was significantly higher in multiple risk factors group (39.5 ng/ml) compared to non-multiple risk factors (30.1 ng/ml). Among patients with multiple risk factors group, s-7KCHO was significantly higher in patients with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (45.1+/-5.9 ng/ml) compared to those with normal LDL-C levels (35.3+/-7.0 ng/ml). Furthermore, s-7KCHO increased according to the number of concurrent coronary risk factors. These results suggest that serum 7-ketocholesterol levels may depend on the multiple risk factors and serum LDL-C levels.

CoQ10 supplementation elevates the epidermal CoQ10 level in adult hairless mice.

We have already shown that prolonged supplementation of CoQ(10) in humans reduces the wrinkle area rate and wrinkle volume per unit area in the corner of the eye. CoQ(10) supplementation is known to increase the CoQ(10) level in serum and in many organs; however, the level of CoQ(10) in skin has not yet been fully investigated yet. We examined whether CoQ(10) intake elevates the CoQ(10) and CoQ(9) levels in epidermis, dermis, serum and other organs (kidney, heart, brain, muscle and crystalline lens) in 43-week-old hairless male mice. We also established a method using a high performance liquid chromatograph equipped with an electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD) to simultaneously quantify CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) in the tissues. CoQ(10) (0, 1, 100 mg/kg p.o.) was administered daily for 2 weeks. CoQ(10) supplementation of 100 mg/kg increased the serum and epidermal CoQ(10) levels significantly, but did not increase the CoQ(10) levels in either dermis or other organs. In conclusion, we showed that CoQ(10) intake elevates the epidermal CoQ(10) level, which may be a prerequisite to the reduction of wrinkles and other benefits related to the potent antioxidant and energizing effects of CoQ(10) in skin.

Vasoactive and natriuretic mediators in umbilical cord blood: a report of our observation and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The relative potency and interrelationship among vasoactive and natriuretic mediators are thought to be important in the transition from fetal to neonatal life. However, little is known about their potential roles in the perinatal setting. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate further the potential roles of vasoactive and natriuretic mediators in the perinatal setting. STUDY DESIGN: We measured umbilical venous levels of arginine vasopressin, endothelin-1, adrenomedullin, natriuretic peptides and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in 24 vaginally delivered newborns and examined their possible functions. RESULTS: Cord levels of vasopressin, endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin were considerably higher compared with normal adult values; the concentrations were more than 10-fold higher for vasopressin, and more than threefold higher for endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin. The levels of natriuretic peptides and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) were almost comparable to those of normal adults. Among the mediators, there was a significant correlation between endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin. CONCLUSIONS: It appears from other studies that the postnatal fall in vasopressin and endothelin-1 levels is associated with increased levels of natriuretic peptides and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-). Based on these observations, we consider that these mediators may play active roles in the initiation, maintenance or both of the transition from fetal to neonatal life.