bioavailablility of conenzyme Q10 formulations

Doug Skrecky (oberon@vcn.bc.ca)
Tue, 14 Apr 1998 21:10:07 -0700 (PDT)


Internat. J. Vit. Nutr. Res. 68: 109-113 1998
"Relative Bioavailability of Coenzyme Q10 Formulations in Human Subjects"

Summary:

The relative bioavailability of typical commercially available forms of
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was compared with that of Q-Gel, a new solubilized
form of CoQ10, in human subjects in two separate trials. In the first,
standard softgel capsules containing CoQ10 suspension in oil, powder-filled
hardshell capsules and powder-based tablets were tested along with Q-Gel
using a daily dosage of 120 mg for three weeks. The baseline plasma CoQ10
values were all very tight (0.50-0.52 microgram/mililiter) and after three
weeks the values were 1.37, 163 and 1.60 microgram/mililiter for the first
three products and 3.31 micrograms/mililter for Q-Gel. The relative
bioavailability calculated using the areas under the plasma CoQ10 curve
(AUC) were (microgram/mililterXtime in days) 7.16 (100%), 8.97(125%),
9.19(128%) and for Q-Gel 22.86(319%). The second trial, carried out to
replicate the findings in the first, employed only two groups, namely the
standard softgel capsules containing the suspension and Q-Gel, and the
duration was extended to four weeks. Plasma CoQ10 values were: baseline
0.40 and 0.38 and after four weeks 1.26 and 2.80; the corresponding AUCs
were: 8.33 (100%) and 22.75 (273%). Thus the data from both the trials show
that Q-Gel, the new solubilized form of CoQ10, is vastly superior to
typical commercially available preparations of CoQ10. This means much lower
doses of Q-Gel will be required to rapidly reach and maintain adequate
blood CoQ10 values than with any of the other currently available products.

Note: Q-Gel is a proprietary formula (patent pending) containing CoQ10 in a
blend of sorbitan monooleate, polysorbate 80, medium chain triglycerides,
propylene glycol, d-alpha tocopherol and PVP (Pasdone).