Coenzyme Q(10) administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects

Coenzyme Q(10) is an essential cofactor of the electron transport chain as well as a potent free radical scavenger in lipid and mitochondrial membranes. Feeding with coenzyme Q(10) increased cerebral cortex concentrations in 12- and 24-month-old rats. In 12-month-old rats administration of coenzyme Q(10) resulted in significant increases in cerebral cortex mitochondrial concentrations of coenzyme Q(10). Oral administration of coenzyme Q(10) markedly attenuated striatal lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid and significantly increased life span in a transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These results show that oral administration of coenzyme Q(10) increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q(10) can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.