Coenzyme Q 10 administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects

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Abstract
Coenzyme Q 10 is an essential cofactor of the electron transport chain as well as a potent free radical scavenger in lipid and mitochondrial membranes. Feeding with coenzyme Q 10 increased cerebral cortex concentrations in 12- and 24-month-old rats. In 12-month-old rats administration of coenzyme Q 10 resulted in significant increases in cerebral cortex mitochondrial concentrations of coenzyme Q 10 . Oral administration of coenzyme Q 10 markedly attenuated striatal lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid and significantly increased life span in a transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These results show that oral administration of coenzyme Q 10 increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q 10 can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.