Coenzyme Q10 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Article Type: Brief article
Subject: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Diet therapy)
Dietary supplements (Health aspects)
Dietary supplements (Usage)
Author: Gaby, Alan R.
Pub Date: 07/01/2012
Publication: Name: Townsend Letter Publisher: The Townsend Letter Group Audience: General; Professional Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Health Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2012 The Townsend Letter Group ISSN: 1940-5464
Issue: Date: July, 2012 Source Volume: 348
Product: Product Code: 2834730 Nutrient Preparations NAICS Code: 325412 Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing SIC Code: 2833 Medicinals and botanicals; 2834 Pharmaceutical preparations
Geographic: Geographic Scope: United States Geographic Code: 1USA United States
Accession Number: 297056543
Full Text: Thirteen patients (aged 5-10 years) with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who were on stable prednisone therapy for more than 6 months were treated with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). For the first 3 patients, the starting dose was 90 mg per day, which was increased by 30 mg per day at intervals until the serum CoQ10 level reached 2.5 mcg/ml. After the first 3 patients were unable to rapidly achieve the desired serum level, the protocol was changed to an initial dose of 400 mg per day with 100 mg per day increases. After the desired serum level was reached, the patients continued the treatment for 6 months, with dosage adjustments made as needed. Twelve patients completed the trial, of which 9 showed an improvement in the total quantitative muscle testing score. Overall, CoQ10 treatment resulted in an 8.5% increase in mean muscle strength (p = 0.03).

Comment: Glucocorticoids such as prednisone slow disease progression in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and glucocorticoid therapy is considered the standard of care. The results of the present study suggest that the addition of CoQ10 to prednisone therapy can increase muscle strength in patients with this condition.

Spurney CF et al, CINRG pilot trial of coenzyme Q10 in steroid-treated Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve. 2011;44:174-178.
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