Dr. Maurizio Battino, a research scientist and director of the Ibero-American University Foundation (FUNIBER) at its headquarters in Italy, is participating in a study that proposes the use of coenzyme Q (CoQ) as a key therapeutic tool to mitigate the effects of aging and age-related diseases. The research, published in the scientific journal Molecules, provides a comprehensive review of this molecule’s cellular functions and its potential in dietary interventions to improve health and longevity.
Aging is a complex biological process closely linked to mitochondrial function and increased oxidative damage in cells. Coenzyme Q, also known as ubiquinone due to its ubiquitous presence in nature, is an essential molecule that the body synthesizes naturally, but whose levels tend to decrease significantly over the years in various organs and tissues, especially in the heart and brain. This reduction affects both cellular energy production and the body’s ability to defend itself against external aggressions.
In this context, the study in which Dr. Battino participates describes how CoQ acts as a vital component of the electron transport chain in the mitochondria, playing a fundamental role in cellular bioenergetics. A distinctive feature of this molecule is its chemical versatility, as it can assume three redox states: ubiquinone (oxidized), ubiquinol (reduced), and ubisemiquinone (partially reduced). This ability makes it the only endogenously synthesized fat-soluble antioxidant capable of effectively preventing the oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA.
In addition to its energetic function, the research delves into CoQ’s role in cellular signaling and the prevention of programmed cell death, or apoptosis. It highlights that CoQ helps inhibit the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), a critical event that would otherwise trigger the cascade of cell death. Likewise, the study mentions its involvement in maintaining acidic pH in lysosomes, which is vital for the degradation of cellular waste.
Regarding inflammation, the molecular mechanisms by which coenzyme Q exerts protective effects by influencing the expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-dependent genes are analyzed, thereby modulating the systemic inflammatory response. The results of the review indicate that, while CoQ supplementation does not necessarily increase maximum life expectancy in healthy subjects, it is crucial for preventing life shortening due to oxidative stress and mitochondrial diseases.
Finally, the authors emphasize the importance of bioavailability in dietary therapies. Given that CoQ absorption is limited, the study suggests that nanoparticulate or solubilized formulations could be key to ensuring therapeutic benefits reach tissues with low uptake capacity, such as the central nervous system, opening new avenues in the adjunctive treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
If you want to learn more about this study, click here.
To read more research, check out the UNEATLANTICO repository.