Bioavailability of coenzyme Q₁₀ loaded in an oleogel formulation for oral therapy: Comparison with a commercial-grade...

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀) is essential in mitochondrial bioenergetics and is a potent endogenous antioxidant. Low CoQ₁₀ levels are associated with neurodegenerative, metabolic, muscular and cardiovascular disorders. Early treatment with high doses (5-50 mg/kg/day) demonstrated to limit the onset and progression of neuropathology. Recently, we developed an oleogel matrix able to support a high dose of oil-dissolved CoQ₁₀, easy to swallow by CoQ₁₀-deficient patients who suffer from secondary dysphagia. In the present study, we evaluated the bioavailability of oleogel-dissolved CoQ₁₀ and plasma antioxidant status in healthy adults in single-dose and repeated-dose studies. The single-dose study demonstrated that, in terms of CoQ₁₀ bioavailability, 1 g CoQ₁₀/5g oleogel-disk was equivalent to the solid form (1 g CoQ₁₀/three 00-size-capsules), whereas the repeated-dose study (14-days-administration) demonstrated a significantly higher increase in plasma CoQ₁₀ when administered through the oleogel, which could be compatible with the levels necessary to achieve an adequate therapeutic response. Also, a trend to a higher plasma apparent half-life (greater than24 h) was observed for the oleogel-loaded-CoQ₁₀. In conclusion, the oleogel matrix does not compromise the oil-dissolved CoQ₁₀ bioavailability and can prevent the non-adherence to this vital supplementation in patients with high CoQ₁₀ requirements. No significant variation in the plasma antioxidant status (vitamins A, E and C, glutathione and TBARs) was observed.