Coenzyme Q10

What is coenzyme Q₁₀?

Coenzyme Q₁₀ or ubiquinone-10 is a fat-soluble compound that exists as a yellow or orange powder in its natural form (R, R). It is present in the inner mitochondrial membrane of every cell in the human body (R), where it is a crucial component of the electron transport chain and plays a pivotal role in cellular energy generation (R). Its fully reduced form, ubiquinol-10, is also an important physiological antioxidant (R).

Although intracellular synthesis is the major source of coenzyme Q₁₀ in the human body, it can also be obtained from the diet. Meat, fish, nuts and some oils have the highest levels, while lower levels can be found in dairy products, fruits, vegetables and cereals (R, R). The average dietary intake of coenzyme Q₁₀ is about 3-6 mg / day (R, R).

In humans, coenzyme Q₁₀ is present in the highest concentrations in the heart, kidney and liver (R), but it is also present in the skin as part of the skin surface lipids (R). The concentration of coenzyme Q₁₀ is 10-fold higher in the epidermis than in the dermis (R). Because its levels in the epidermis falls linearly from age 30 onwards, the skin may benefit from an external supply of coenzyme Q₁₀ (R).

Is coenzyme Q₁₀ stable?

Coenzyme Q₁₀ is sensitive to heat, deteriorating at temperatures of about 46°C (R). It also degrades eventually under natural daylight, with 66% disappearing after 1 month (R). Its stability to heat is improved when it is loaded in liposomes (R), and its photostability is greatly enhanced when it is loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (R).

Does coenzyme Q₁₀ get absorbed?

Coenzyme Q₁₀ is highly lipophilic, which makes its delivery into the deeper layers of the skin challenging (R).

The evidence on whether topically applied coenzyme Q₁₀ gets absorbed by human skin is mixed. Some studies showed that topically applied coenzyme Q₁₀ did not necessarily raise its levels in the stratum corneum (R, R), while another study found that topically applied coenzyme Q₁₀ not only increased its levels on the skin surface but also in the deeper layers of the epidermis (R).

The form of the applied coenzyme Q₁₀ seems to matter, with coenzyme Q₁₀ derived from yeast being better absorbed than pure coenzyme Q₁₀ (R). The type of formulation also appears to be important, with nanoemulsions in particular proving to be a appropriate vehicle for coenzyme Q₁₀ (R, R). Penetration enhancers like peppermint oil and linseed oil can also increase the penetration of coenzyme Q₁₀ (R, R, R).