coenzyme-q10 and Pneumonia

A 61-year-old woman began to take a dietary supplement contained CoQ10 and perilla leaf extract. Two months later, a dry cough appeared. The number of eosinophils in peripheral blood was elevated and chest radiograph images showed infiltrative shadows in the left middle lung. A chest CT scan showed consolidation in the left upper lobe (S3) and lower lobe (S10). The percentage of eosinophils was abnormally high in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and examination of a transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) specimen showed marked infiltration of eosinophils in the alveolar wall. Drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) indicated high stimulation index for both supplement containing CoQ10 and its element of CoQ10. We diagnosed drug-induced pneumonitis, caused by CoQ10. The symptoms of the patient and pulmonary infiltrative shadows on chest radiograph improved after she stopped taking the supplements and started taking prednisolone orally. Recently various dietary supplements are coming onto the market. Since the possible adverse effects of these supplements are not investigated extensively, care should be taken for symptoms relating to food supplements.

Topics: Coenzymes; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Prednisolone; Pulmonary Eosinophilia; Treatment Outcome; Ubiquinone

Radiation pneumonitis are well recognized as complications of radiotherapy for the thoracic malignancies. However, the pathogenesis of radiation pneumonitis has been poorly understood and prevention of it has not been developed. In this study, to define the mechanisms of radiation pneumonitis biologically, we measured lipid peroxides, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH pex.), leukotriene C4 and D4 (LTC4 and LTD4) in the irradiated lungs of mice. Eight weeks old female ICR mice were sacrificed at various time periods (immediately after to 5 days) following the 10 Gy whole-body irradiation with 60Co gamma rays. The lipid peroxides and the activities of GSH pex. increased immediately after the irradiation, but returned to the control level 1 hour after the irradiation. And then, the lipid peroxides also increased from 1 day after the irradiation, while the activities of GSH pex. decreased below the control level. LTC4 and LTD4 in the irradiated lungs of mice were also significantly higher than those of non-irradiated controls. Furthermore, we investigated effects of Coenzyme Q10 and Azelastine for the prevention of radiation pneumonitis. Lungs of ICR mice after 10 Gy whole-thorax irradiation treated with those drugs were compared with the control lungs pathologically. Intraperitoneal administration of those drugs decreased the damages for endothelium, such as vacuole formation and stripping off the basement membrane which were recognized by electron microscope. Based on these results, it was strongly suggested that initial damage of irradiated lungs might be induced by lipid peroxides and leukotrienes, and that Coenzyme Q10 and Azelastine could reduce radiation pneumonitis.

Topics: Animals; Coenzymes; Female; Lipid Peroxides; Lung; Mice; Phthalazines; Pneumonia; Pyridazines; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Radiotherapy; Ubiquinone

Topics: Aged; Bronchial Diseases; Coenzymes; Female; Heart Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Ubiquinone