ubiquinone and Pre-Eclampsia

To assess whether supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) during pregnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia.. Women at increased risk of pre-eclampsia were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women were assigned to receive 200 mg of CoQ10 or placebo daily from 20 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. The primary outcome was rate of pre-eclampsia. Statistical analyses were by intention-to-treat.. Of the 235 women enrolled in the trial, 118 were randomized to receive CoQ10 and 117 received a placebo. A total of 197 (83.8%) women were followed-up. The overall rate of pre-eclampsia was 20% (n=47). Thirty women (25.6%) in the placebo group developed pre-eclampsia compared with 17 women (14.4%) in the CoQ10 group, and this reduction was significant (P=0.035) (relative risk [RR] 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.96).. Supplementation with CoQ10 reduces the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in women at risk for the condition.

Topics: Adolescent; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Ubiquinone; Vitamins; Young Adult

Preeclampsia has ranked as one of the leading causes of both maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality around the world. The hypotensive effect of coenzyme Q10 has been widely reported in preeclampsia rat model. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear.. L-NAME was utilized to establish the preeclampsia rat model. Biomarker assessments were performed to identify the levels of vascular factors including soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), the circulating cytokines including interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β, and oxidative stress factors including malondialdehyde, H. Coenzyme Q10 treatment decreased the blood pressure in rat model with preeclampsia by regulating the circulating levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF. Coenzyme Q10 attenuated serum and placental inflammation and oxidative stress in L-NAME-induced preeclampsia rats. Coenzyme Q10 activated the placental Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in L-NAME-induced preeclampsia rats.. Coenzyme Q10 attenuated placental inflammatory and oxidative stress, thereby protecting the rats against preeclampsia by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Ubiquinone

To investigate the protective effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the liver of preeclampsiapregnant rats and the potential etiology.. Fifty pregnant SD rats were equally divided into the normal pregnant (NP) group (n=10) and the preeclampsia (PE) group (n=40) randomly. The PE rats (n=40) were equally divided into four groups randomly, distilled water (DW) group, CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined magnesium(CM) group and magnesium (Mg) group were established by treating the preeclampsia rats on day 15 to 21 of gestation with different measures. As for all the 50 rats, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rat tail was detected on day 10, 15 and 21 of gestation respectively, 24 hours proteinuria analysis were detected on day 10, 15 and 21 of gestation respectively, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in blood andsuperoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde (MDA), caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in liver tissue were detected by western blot assay on day 21 of gestation.. (1) SBP and 24 hours proteinuria analysis: there was no statistic difference among all the five groups on day 10 of gestation (P>0.05). Whereas, SBP and 24 hours proteinuria analysis were significantly higher in CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined CM group, CM group and DW group than that in NP group on day 15, 21 of gestation (P<0.05). And SBP and 24 hours proteinuria analysis were significantly lower in CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined CM group and CM group than that in DW group on day 21 of gestation (P<0.05). (2) Liver function: among CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined CM group, CM group, DW group and NP group, serum levels of ALT were respectively (52±7) , (34±9) , (49±10) , (70±19) , (30±7) U/L; and serum levels of AST were respectively (169±25) , (84±11) , (159±20) , (281±26) and (78±18) U/L. ALT and AST serum levels were significantly higher in CoQ10 group, CM group and DW group than that in NP group (P<0.05). ALT and AST serum levels were significant lower in CoQ10 combined CM group than those in CoQ10 group, CM group and DW group, respectively (P<0.05). ALT and AST serum levels were significant lower in CoQ10 group and CM group than that in DW group, respectively (P<0.05). (3) SOD, GSH-PX, MDA, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax expression in liver tissue of rats: SOD expression was significant higher in CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined CM group than thoes in CM group, DW group and NP group (P<0.05) ; SOD expression was significant lower in CM group, DW grouo than thoes in NP group (P<0.05) ; and SOD expression was significant higher in CM group than that in DW group (P<0.05) . Compared with CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined CM group, CW group and DW group respectively, the GSH-PX and Bcl-2 protein expressions were significant higher in NP group (P<0.05) , while MDA, caspase-3 and Bax protein expressions were significant lower in NP group (P<0.05) ; compared with CoQ10 group, CoQ10 combined CM group and CW group respectively, the GSH-PX and Bcl-2 protein expressions were significant lower in DW group (P<0.05) , while MDA, caspase-3 and Bax protein expressions were significant higher in DW group (P<0.05) .. Oxidative stress and apoptosis levles were upregulated in PE pregnant liver tissues. CoQ10 could effectively protect the liver by improving the liver functions and decreasing the apoptosis of liver cells in PE pregnant rats, and markedly decrease the oxidative stress and apoptosis in the livers. The protective roles of CoQ10 in liver might through its function of anti-oxidative stress and inhibiting cell apoptosis by regulating the balance of Bcl-2/Bax.

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Aspartate Aminotransferases; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Caspase 3; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Liver; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Protective Agents; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Superoxide Dismutase; Ubiquinone; Vitamins

Preeclampsia is a complex obstetrical syndrome characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. This syndrome is associated with oxidative stress, antioxidant imbalance and impaired production of vasoactive eicosanoids such as thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)), a potent vasoconstrictor, and prostacyclin (PGI(2)), a well-known vasodilator. We hypothesized that there was a relationship between antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), and the production of vasoactive eicosanoids- PGI(2) and TXA(2)-potentially regulated by pro-oxidants and antioxidants in preeclampsia.. Therefore, the plasma levels of vitamin E, CoQ(10), TXA(2) and PGI(2) in normotensive (n = 30) and preeclamptic (n = 29) pregnancies were evaluated. Reduced and oxidized forms of vitamin E and CoQ(10) in blood were measured using a HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. The levels of TXB(2) and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha), stable metabolites of TXA(2) and PGI(2) respectively, were measured by ELISA.. The CoQ(10) oxidized/reduced ratio was significantly higher in preeclamptic compared to normotensive pregnancies (p = 0.04). A strong correlation between plasma levels of reduced vitamin E and CoQ(10), corrected for apolipoprotein B, was observed only in preeclampsia (r = 0.69, p < 0.0001). The 6-keto-PGF(1alpha)/TXB(2) ratio was higher in preeclampsia than in controls (p = 0.02), and this ratio was correlated to the oxidized/reduced ratio of both, vitamin E and CoQ(10) in all pregnancies (p <0.023).. The data indicated that CoQ(10) is a sensitive marker of oxidative stress in preeclampsia. The correlation between vitamin E and CoQ(10) suggested a coordinated defense mechanism against oxidation. Furthermore, the higher 6-keto-PGF(1alpha)/TXB(2) ratio that strongly correlated with oxidative stress markers, suggests a mechanism developed by the maternal cardiovascular system to counteract hypertension during preeclampsia.

Topics: Adult; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epoprostenol; Fatty Acids; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Oxidative Stress; Patient Selection; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Thromboxane A2; Ubiquinone; Vitamin E

Alteration of cytokines level and oxidative stress are both associated with preeclampsia (PE). We have investigated if IL-6 and IL-18 levels were related to coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), an antioxidant and a marker of oxidative stress in the plasma from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.. IL-6 and IL-18 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in plasmas from preeclamptic (n = 29) and normotensive pregnancies (n = 30). The concentrations of CoQ(10) in the different redox forms were measured in plasma using liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and correlations were obtained by the Spearman's Rho test.. IL-6 concentrations were 2.8-fold higher in preeclamptic plasmas than in controls (p = 0.0006), and IL-18 concentrations were found significantly lower in preeclamptic samples than in controls (p = 0.007). No correlation was found between IL-18 or IL-6 and antioxidant vitamin CoQ(10) in plasmas from normotensive pregnant women. However, in PE, IL-18 level was positively correlated with the reduced form of CoQ(10) (r = 0.3680, p = 0.0495).. This is the first demonstration that IL-18 is potentially linked to oxidative stress in PE, since its level correlates with the concentration of the powerful antioxidant CoQ(10). These results also associate the immune system with the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance observed in PE.

Topics: Adult; Chromatography, Liquid; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Interleukin-18; Interleukin-6; Oxidative Stress; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Statistics, Nonparametric; Ubiquinone

Preeclampsia is a common disorder of pregnancy exhibiting abnormal plasma and placental coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels when compared to normal pregnancies.. To evaluate CoQ10 levels both in plasma and placenta among normal pregnant (n = 60) and preeclamptic (n = 63) primigravid women and determine the effect of high or low altitude residency.. CoQ10 was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique and group comparisons were performed.. Preeclamptic women living at high altitude displayed significantly lower CoQ10 plasma levels (0.64 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.82 +/- 0.46 micromol/L, p = 0.05). No differences were found in CoQ10 plasma levels among women living at sea level. Interestingly, plasma CoQ10 levels at low altitude in normal pregnancies were significantly lower than high altitude normal pregnancies. Compared to normal pregnancies, preeclamptic women displayed higher placental CoQ10 content, which was only significant among those living at sea level (0.120 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.076 +/- 0.04 ng/mg protein, p < 0.005). Normal pregnant women living at high altitude displayed higher placental CoQ10 content when compared to those residing at sea level (p < 0.0005).. Women suffering from preeclampsia (high or low altitude) display high placental CoQ10 content, with significant low plasma CoQ10 levels among those residing in high altitude. More research is warranted to establish the cause-effect relationship between CoQ10 levels and preeclampsia.

Topics: Altitude; Ecuador; Female; Humans; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Ubiquinone; Young Adult

Growing evidence indicates that oxidative stress occurs during the fetal-to-neonatal transition. Such stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neonatal diseases. Thioredoxin (TRX), a redox-regulating protein with antioxidant activity, is induced in various cells against oxidative stress and is secreted extracellularly. This study was undertaken to examine the clinical and biological importance of TRX in the perinatal setting. We measured concentrations of TRX in umbilical cord blood and breast milk using a sandwich ELISA. Our study demonstrated that concentrations of TRX in umbilical cord blood were six to seven times higher than those in blood of healthy adults. This study also showed that umbilical concentrations of TRX were correlated significantly with the extent of prematurity of the newborn, and that they were elevated significantly in newborns of mothers with preeclampsia compared to those of mothers without preeclampsia. In contrast, concentrations of coenzyme Q(10) and vitamin E in umbilical blood were lower than adult blood levels. Breast milk concentrations of TRX during the early postpartum period were seven to eight times higher than those in blood of lactating women. Those of the coenzyme Q(10) were lower than adult blood levels, while those of vitamin E were comparable to adult blood levels. Our findings suggest that the systemic release of TRX is enhanced at birth, and that early breast milk is a rich source of this protein. Consequent high levels of TRX in newborns may provide a unique protective mechanism that allows the maintenance of redox balance during the fetal-to-neonatal transition.

Topics: Adult; Coenzymes; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fetal Blood; Fetus; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Male; Milk, Human; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Thioredoxins; Ubiquinone; Vitamin E

Preeclampsia is a common (approximately 7% of all pregnancies) disorder of pregnancy in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. Despite many years of intensive research, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in placental tissue compared to maternal and umbilical cord levels both during normal pregnancy and in those complicated with preeclampsia. Pregnant women (n = 30) and women with preeclampsia (n = 30) were included. Maternal, newborn cord blood levels and placental content of coenzyme Q(10) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma coenzyme Q(10) levels were significantly higher in normal pregnant women than in women with preeclampsia. CoQ(10) content in placenta from women with preeclampsia (mean 0.28 SEM 0.11 nmol/mg protein) was significantly higher compared to normal pregnancy (mean 0.09 SEM 0.01 nmol/mg protein; p = 0.05). Levels of CoQ(10) in cord blood from normal pregnant women (mean 0.30 SEM 0.05 micromol/l) were significantly lower than in preeclamptic women (mean 4.03 SEM 2.38 micromol/l). In conclusion, these data indicate a possible involvement of CoQ(10) in preeclampsia that might bear deep physiopathological significance and deserve to be further elucidated.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coenzymes; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Ubiquinone

It has been hypothesized that in preeclampsia, the antioxidant-deficient state may facilitate increased attacks of free radicals, which may result in endothelial cell damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of three lipid-soluble antioxidants, coenzyme Q10, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. Serum levels of all three antioxidants in 42 women with normal pregnancies, 25 with mild preeclampsia and 28 with severe preeclampsia were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A significant decrease was observed in serum levels of coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol (p < 0.001 for each by the Kruskal-Wallis rank test) in women with preeclampsia compared to levels in normal pregnancy. gamma-Tocopherol levels were comparable among the different groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant association between grades of preeclampsia and both serum coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol levels (p = 0.000 and 0.030, respectively). Coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol are potent antioxidants, and the decreased levels of these two antioxidants in preeclampsia may alter the normal redox balance, thereby reducing the ability of antioxidant defenses to protect against free radical damage. This could be a factor in the endothelial cell damage observed in preeclampsia.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Black People; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coenzymes; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; gamma-Tocopherol; Gestational Age; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Lipids; Logistic Models; Medically Underserved Area; Oxidation-Reduction; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Solubility; Ubiquinone

Preeclampsia is a common ( approximately 7% of all pregnancies) disorder of human pregnancy in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. Despite many years of intensive research, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the concentration of coenzyme Q10 in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. Pregnant women (n = 18), women with preeclampsia (n = 12), and nonpregnant normotensive women (n = 22) were included. Plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma coenzyme Q10 levels were significantly higher in normal pregnant women (mean = 1.08, SEM = 0.08 umol/l; p <.005) in comparison to nonpregnant women (mean = 0.86, SEM = 0.16 umol/l) and women with preeclampsia (mean = 0.7, SEM = 0.03 umol/l; p <.0001). These results demonstrated that during preeclampsia there is a significant decrease in plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 compared to normal pregnant women, and compared to those who are not pregnant.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Pressure; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coenzymes; Female; Free Radicals; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Ubiquinone