Recent findings on the regulatory functions of CoA and the normalizing activity on plasma lipids of exogenous CoA

In recent years many studies have shown that coenzyme A (CoA) is not only an acyl carrier coenzyme but it also has an important role in the regulation of metabolic functions and cell activities such as transport from the Golgi cisternae. This regulatory role is carried out by CoA, its precursor, catabolites and acylated derivatives. The acylation (myristylation and palmitylation) process of peptides and proteins dependent on CoA seems to be an important regulatory mechanism of cell activities. Furthermore exogenous CoA has been shown to decrease the triacylglycerols, cholesterol and Apo B of plasma lipoproteins in man. This regulatory mechanism acts either on VLDL synthesis and secretion or on their plasma clearance. CoA also protects cell-membrane and plasma lipoproteins against the peroxidative action of oxygen free-radicals.