Ubiquinones are lipid soluble molecules present in the lipid membranes of most eukaryotic cells and gram-negative bacteria (1).

Ubiquinone-10 (Q10), also called coenzyme Q, plays a pivotal role as electron-carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and is also well known for its powerful antioxidant properties. Recent findings suggest moreover that Q10 could have an important membrane stabilizing function (2).

Q10 is an essential component of eukaryotic cells and is involved in crucial biochemical reactions such as the production of ATP in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, the biosynthesis of pyrimidines, and the modulation of apoptosis(3).

Antioxidants and oxidative stress can participate in pathobiochemical mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Based on the results of this study, high doses of CoQ10 can improve gastrointestinal problems (P = 0.004) and sleep disorders (P = 0.005) in children with ASDs with an increase in the CoQ10 of the serum. We concluded that the serum concentration of CoQ10 and oxidative stress could be used as relevant biomarkers in helping the improvement of ASDs (4).

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading threats to global health. Previous research has proven that metabolic pathway disorders, such as high blood lipids and diabetes, are one of the risk factors that mostly cause CAD. In this study, the canonical correlation between CAD and metabolic pathways gene expressions was analyzed. The results showed that the TCA cycle, ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinone biosyntheses, N-glycan biosynthesis, other glycan degradation, glycosaminoglycan degradation, GPI anchor biosynthesis, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis–ganglioseries are the most significant metabolic pathways correlated with CAD genes. Furthermore, these metabolic pathway genes are beneficial for the diagnosis and detection of CAD through the quantification of the expression level of patients\' serum (5).

Molecular formula : C₅₉H₉₀O₄

Molecular Weight : 863.365

CAS : 303-98-0

Synonyms :

• Coenzima Q
• Coenzima Q10
• CoQ₁₀
• Ubiquinone 50
• Ubidecarenone

References________________________________________________

 (1) M.D. Collins, D. Jones
Distribution of isoprenoid quinone structural types in bacteria and their taxonomic implication
Microbiol. Rev., 45 (1981), p. 316

 (2) Effect of ubiquinone-10 on the stability of biomimetic membranes of relevance for the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Eriksson EK, Agmo Hernández V, Edwards K.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2018 Feb 19;1860(5):1205-1215. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.02.015.

 (3) Coenzyme Q biosynthesis in health and disease.
Acosta MJ, Vazquez Fonseca L, Desbats MA, Cerqua C, Zordan R, Trevisson E, Salviati L
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2016 Aug; 1857(8):1079-1085.

 (4) Coenzyme Q₁₀ supplementation reduces oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant enzyme activity in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Mousavinejad E, Ghaffari MA, Riahi F, Hajmohammadi M, Tiznobeyk Z, Mousavinejad M.
Psychiatry Res. 2018 Apr 4;265:62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.03.061