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Coenzyme Q10 Fails to Improve Statin-Induced Myalgia
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Nov 26 - Coenzyme Q10 supplementation does not appear to have any significant effect in patients with myalgia associated with simvastatin, according to New Zealand-based researchers.
Statin-related myalgia may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction through the depletion of coenzyme Q10, a key component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, Joanna M. Young of Christchurch Hospital and colleagues note in the November issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
To investigate whether supplementation might alleviate myalgia, the researchers conducted a pilot study in 44 patients who were randomized to coenzyme Q10 or placebo for 12 weeks.
The patients, who had previously shown statin-induced myalgia, started simvastatin at 10 mg per day and had their dose increased as tolerated to a maximum of 40 mg per day.
At the end of 12 weeks there was no significant between-group difference in myalgia score, number of patients tolerating simvastatin 40 mg, or number of patients remaining on therapy.
Nevertheless, the researchers call for further studies, suggesting that the approach might be helpful in certain subpopulations of patients. They also speculate that statin-induced myalgia may be related to another deficiency in the mevalonate pathway. |
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