Statins are popular drugs that aim to lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Statin-induced myalgia and myopathy are the most prominent side effects of these drugs. Statins also inhibit the production of coenzyme Q10 in the cells, which results in decreased blood levels of this important nutrient. Depletion of Q10 and statin-induced myalgia are biochemically connected.
Coenzyme Q10 and Statins
Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient for energy production in cells. It is also necessary for heart health. It is no surprise that patients with coronary heart disease have low levels of Q10 in their blood. Statins further deteriorate this by blocking the synthesis of Q10 on the cellular level. Gradually, the levels of this nutrient in the blood decrease significantly. Rosuvastatin is particularly efficient in lowering blood cholesterol and depleting Q10 levels as well.
Coenzyme Q10 and Statin-Induced Myalgia
Muscle pain and eventually myopathy are the most common side effects of statins. Q10 depletion may be one of the mechanisms for this specific type of myopathy. Deficiency of Q10 can be due to different reasons, but in most cases neurological syndromes and muscular myopathies and cardiomyopathies occur as a result. A review published in 2010 in "The Ochsner Journal" reported that statins not only lower blood levels of Q10, but muscle cells also have reduced levels of coenzyme Q10. In rare cases, statin-induced myopathy deteriorates to the point that muscle fibers start to dissolve and muscle proteins leak to the blood stream. This condition is called rhabdomyolysis and it results in kidney failure, another side effect of statins.
Potential Treatment
In theory, Q10 supplementation can make up for the statin-induced loss. However, coenzyme Q10 supplements do not improve muscular function in a consistent way. In 2011, a study published in the journal "Atherosclerosis" reported that a combination of statins with mild exercise preserves cellular and blood levels of Q10, while the levels of HDL were significantly elevated. In this case the cardioprotective effects of statins were enhanced.
Considerations
Your physician can determine the right dose and kind of statin for you. If you are currently on statins and you experience muscular pain, you need to let your doctor know about it and discuss possible treatments or reduction of your dose.
References
- "Atherosclerosis"; Rosuvastatin Combined With Regular Exercise Preserves Coenzyme Q10 Levels Associated With A Significant Increase in High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease; K. Toyama, et al.; July 2011
- "The Ochsner Journal"; Coenzyme Q10 and Statin-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction; Richard Deichmann, et al.; Spring 2010
- "Current Atheroslcerosis Reports"; Coenzyme Q(10) and Statin Myalgia: What Is the Evidence?; E. Mas, et al.; November 2010
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