Effect of coenzyme Q10 on hemodynamic response to ocular timolol

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of the mitochondrial membrane and plays an important role in the maintenance of normal cardiac function. To evaluate the effects of ocular timolol on the cardiovascular system and determine the protective effect of CoQ10, 16 patients with glaucoma were studied using impedance cardiography. Following instillation of 1 mg timolol maleate in each eye, heart rate (HR) and stroke index (SI) decreased, and total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) increased significantly. Reexamination was performed after 6 weeks of 90 mg oral CoQ10. Despite decreases in HR, percent changes in HR were significantly less after CoQ10 at 120 min. Stroke index showed an initial increase which was not observed without CoQ10. These data suggest that CoQ10 delayed the appearance of inotropic blockade of timolol and hastened the disappearance of chronotropic blockade. Additional study of six normal volunteers with 6 weeks of oral CoQ10 showed a similar decrease of intraocular pressure after timolol instillation as compared to those without CoQ10. Thus, administration of oral CoQ10 in patients receiving ocular timolol may be useful in mitigating cardiovascular side effects without affecting intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma.