ubiquinone and Postpoliomyelitis-Syndrome

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) refers to a clinical disorder affecting polio survivors with sequelae years after the initial polio attack. These patients report new musculoskeletal symptoms, loss of muscular strength or endurance. PPS patients are tired, in pain and experience new and unusual muscular deficits, on healthy muscles as well as deficient muscles initially affected by the Poliovirus. Once a clinical diagnosis is established, the therapeutic options can be discussed. Some pathophysiological mechanisms have been validated by research studies on PPS (inflammatory process in cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and cytokines of the immune system). Several studies have been conducted to validate medications (pyridostigmine, immunoglobulin, coenzyme Q10) or physical exercises protocols. This article focuses on the relevance and efficacy that can be expected from these therapeutics. Very few studies reported some improvements. Medications combined to individual and supervised exercise training programs are promising therapeutic strategies for PPS patients care management.

Topics: Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome; Prednisone; Pyridostigmine Bromide; Ubiquinone; Vitamins

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation leads to increased muscle metabolism in patients with post-polio syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training in combination with oral supplementation with coenzyme Q10 in patients with post-polio syndrome regarding muscle strength and endurance as well as functional capacity and health-related quality of life.. Parallel randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study.. A total of 14 patients (8 women and 6 men) with post-polio syndrome participated in a 12-week muscular resistance training, 3 days/week. The patients were randomized for oral supplementation with coenzyme Q10, 200 mg/day, or placebo. Measurements used were: sit-stand-sit test, timed up & go test, 6-minute walk test, muscle strength measurement by means of dynamic dynamometer and short-form (SF)-36 questionnaire.. Muscle strength, muscle endurance and quality of life regarding mental health increased statistically significantly in all 14 patients. There was no significant difference between the coenzyme Q10 and placebo groups regarding muscle strength, muscle endurance and quality of life.. There was no effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation during resistance training on post-polio syndrome symptoms. Thus, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 has no beneficial effect on muscle function in patients with post-polio syndrome.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Double-Blind Method; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Physical Endurance; Pilot Projects; Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ubiquinone; Vitamins; Walking

The effects of oral supplementation of 100 mg coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for 6 months on muscle energy metabolism during exercise and recovery were evaluated in middle-aged post-polio (n = 3) and healthy subjects (n = 4) by the use of phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The metabolic response to isometric plantar flexion at 60% of maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC) for 1.5 min was determined in gastrocnemius muscles before, after 3- (3MO) and 6-month (6MO) of CoQ10 supplementation. The MVC of plantar flexion was unchanged following CoQ10 supplementation. The resting Pi/PCr ratio in gastrocnemius muscles of all subjects decreased after 3MO- and 6MO-CoQ10 (P < 0.05). The post-polio individuals showed a progressive decrease in this ratio, while less pronounced changes were observed in the control subjects. Similarly, the post-polio individuals showed a lower Pi/PCr ratio at the end of 60% MVC in both 3MO- and 6MO-CoQ10, whereas no change in the ratio was observed in the control subjects. A less pronounced decrease in muscle pH was observed at the end of 60% MVC in both 3MO- and 6MO-CoQ10 in the post-polio individuals, but not in the control subjects. No systematic difference in end-exercise ATP was observed between the three phases in both groups. The half-time of recovery for PCr decreased in all subjects after 6MO-CoQ10 supplementation (P < 0.05). The results suggest that CoQ10 supplementation affects muscle energy metabolism in post-polio individuals to a greater extent than in control subjects. The mechanism for this effect is not clear, but may involve an effect of CoQ10 on peripheral circulation in the calf muscles, its action in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and/or its antioxidant potential.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Antioxidants; Coenzymes; Endothelium; Energy Metabolism; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Isometric Contraction; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Phosphocreatine; Phosphorus Isotopes; Physical Exertion; Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome; Rest; Ubiquinone