What is coenzyme Q10 used for?
What is Coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant that can activate the nutrition of human cells and cell energy.It has the functions of improving human immunity, enhancing antioxidants, delaying aging and enhancing human vitality. It is widely used in medicine for cardiovascular diseases and is widely used in nutritional health products and food additives at home and abroad .
Coenzyme Q10 also known as Ubiquinone(abbreviated as UQ) , is a fat-soluble quinone compound existing in nature . Its structure is similar to vitamin K , vitamin E and plastoquinone . It participates in energy production and activation in human body cells and is the most effective antioxidant component in preventing the formation of arteriosclerosis.
The ubiquinone molecule contains a side chain composed of multiple isoprene units connected to the p-benzoquinone core. The length of the side chain varies depending on the source of the ubiquinone , generally containing n=6–10 isoprene units. For mammals, n=10, so it is also called coenzyme Q10.
The quinone structure in the molecule makes ubiquinone have two forms: oxidized form (ubiquinone, Coenzyme Q10) and reduced form (ubiquinol). These two forms can be converted into each other in cells, which is the basis for ubiquinone to act as an electron transporter. The electron gain and loss of ubiquinone can be carried out in two steps, that is, transferring one electron at a time, or in one step, transferring two electrons at the same time.
Ubiquinone exists in most eukaryotic cells , especially mitochondria . It is one of the components of the respiratory chain ; its content on the inner membrane of mitochondria is much higher than that of other components of the respiratory chain, and its lipid solubility makes it highly fluid on the inner membrane, making it particularly suitable as a mobile electron transporter.
The benzoquinone part of ubiquinone is synthesized in the body using tyrosine as a raw material, while the isoprene side chain is synthesized from acetyl CoA via the mevalonate pathway . Therefore, beta-blockers and statins, which are blood pressure lowering drugs and work by blocking the mevalonate pathway , will also affect the synthesis of ubiquinone in the body when used.
Characteristics
Yellow or light yellow crystalline powder.Soluble in chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride , soluble in acetone , ether, slightly soluble in ethanol , insoluble in water and methanol.Decomposes easily when exposed to light.
What Is The Functional Of Coenzyme Q10?
Anti-Aging
Coenzyme Q10 has two main functions in the body. One is that it plays an important role in the process of converting nutrients into energy in mitochondria, and the other is that it has a significant anti-lipid peroxidation effect . It is an energy converter in cell mitochondria. It participates in the "tricarboxylic acid cycle" by transferring and transmitting electrons to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is an energy factor for cell metabolism. At the age of 20, humans have a self-synthesized coenzyme Q10 capacity.It reaches its peak and lasts until about 50 years old. After that, it will gradually decline year by year because the mitochondrial DNA material storing Coenzyme Q10 is damaged by oxygen free radicals, resulting in a decrease in the self-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. As a result, the metabolic function of human cells, especially heart cells, declines, and the "aging" is revealed.
The decline in immune function with age is the result of free radicals and free radical reactions. Coenzyme Q10, as a strong antioxidant, can inhibit the modification of free radicals on the receptors on immune cells and the microtubule system related to cell differentiation and activity when used alone or in combination with vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), thereby enhancing the immune system and delaying aging .
The increase of wrinkles and skin aging are related to the Q10 content. The lower the content, the easier the skin ages and the more wrinkles there are on the face. Q10 can be taken orally. When cells contain enough Q10, energy metabolism will be enhanced, free radicals will be removed, and wrinkles will be alleviated.
In addition, you can also apply skin care products containing coenzyme Q10. External use can also increase the absorption of coenzyme Q10 by cells, thereby reducing the formation of wrinkles.
Anti-fatigue
Coenzyme Q10 is a coenzyme of at least three mitochondrial enzymes (multienzyme complexes I, II and III).Its chemical structure is a 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone derivative with a ten-unit isoprene side chain attached to the 6-carbon.
Its quinone ring plays the role of transferring electrons and protons in the oxidative respiratory chain . This role is not only essential for all life forms, but also the key to the formation of ATP. ATP is the main form of energy storage for the body and an important basis for the normal functioning of all cell functions. The biological activity of coenzyme Q102.2 detection wavelength: 275nm mainly comes from the redox characteristics of its quinone ring and the physical and chemical properties of its side chain. It is a natural antioxidant and cell metabolism initiator produced by the cell itself. It has the function of protecting and restoring the integrity of the biological membrane structure and stabilizing the membrane potential. It is a non-specific immune enhancer for the body, so it shows an excellent anti-fatigue effect. Coenzyme Q10 keeps cells in a good and healthy state, so the body is full of vitality, energy and brain power.
Anti-oxidation
The antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10 make it have a certain inhibitory effect on the formation and development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, its antioxidant properties have good effects such as membrane stability, metabolic cardiotonicity and reversal of left ventricular hypertrophy, and its application in cardiovascular diseases is becoming more and more widespread.
Protect your skin
Long-term use of coenzyme Q10 can effectively prevent skin photoaging and reduce wrinkles around the eyes, because coenzyme Q10 penetrates into the skin growth layer to weaken the oxidation reaction of photons, and with the assistance of tocopherol, it can activate specific phosphorylated tyrosine kinases to prevent DNA oxidative damage, inhibit the expression of collagenase in human skin fibroblasts under ultraviolet light, and protect the skin from damage. Extensive research shows that coenzyme Q10 inhibits lipid peroxidation, reduces the generation of free radicals, protects the SOD active center and its structure from free radical oxidative damage, increases the activity of enzymes such as SOD in the body, inhibits cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, and has significant antioxidant and anti-aging effects.
Protect your heart
Coenzyme Q-10 helps provide sufficient oxygen to the myocardium and prevent sudden heart attacks. Coenzyme Q10 plays a key role in the process of myocardial hypoxia.