Coenzyme Q10: Interactions

Interactions of coenzyme Q10 with other micronutrients (vital substances):

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is essential for the synthesis of coenzyme Q10: The first step in the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 – conversion of tyrosine to 4-hydroxy-phenylpyruvic acid – requires vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal 5 ́-phosphate. There is a positive interaction between serum coenzyme Q10 levels and vitamin B6 nutritional status.

Vitamin E

Alpha-tocopherol and coenzyme Q10 are the major fat-soluble antioxidants in membranes and lipoproteins. When alpha-tocopherol neutralizes a free radical-such as a hydroperoxyl radical-it is oxidized, becoming a radical itself, which in turn can promote oxidation of lipoproteins. When the reduced form of coenzyme Q (CoQH2) reacts with alpha-tocopheroxyl, alpha-tocopherol is regenerated and the radical semiquinone (CoQH) is formed simultaneously. CoQH can react with oxygen to form superoxide, which is much less radical than hydroperoxyl. However, CoQH-can likewise reduce alpha-tocopheroxyl back to alpha-tocopherol with the result of a completely oxidized coenzyme Q (CoQ) that can no longer react with oxygen to form superoxide.