Positive Health Online

Abstract

KUCHARSKA and colleagues, Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of the Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic studied the relationship of coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) concentrations in patients undergoing heart transplantation.

Background

Methodology

Q10 and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were measured in 28 endomyocardial biopsies from 22 patients and in 61 blood samples from 31 patients following heart transplantation with histologically confirmed signs of rejection. The values were compared to the group of 14 patients with cardiomyopathies of unclear aetiology as candidates for heart transplantation. Analyses were also compared with 50 healthy people.

Results

Myocardial and blood coenzyme Q10 concentrations were already significantly decreased in the incipient phase of rejection and in rejection phase 1 and 2. Q10 values were similar to those of cardiomyopathic patients inpatients with rejection signs. There were no significant differences in alpha-tocopherol concentrations in relation to signs of rejection. There was increased plasma lipid peroxidation detected in all groups of transplanted patients.

Conclusion

These results contribute to the explanation of certain pathobiochemical mechanisms contributing to the rejection development of the transplanted heart.

References

Kucharska J et al. Participation of coenzyme Q10 in the rejection development of the transplanted heart: a clinical study. Physiological Research 47(60: 399-404. 1998. @i:45