The Single-dose Absorption and Steady-state Bioavailability of Different Coenzyme Q10 Formulations

The results for the absorption and bioavailability of different product formulations of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) that are found in the literature are highly variable and confusing to CoQ10 researchers and consumers.

The study intended to measure and compare the single-dose absorption and steady-state bioavailability of three types of Crystal Free (CF) CoQ10 formulations-CF CoQ10, crystalline CQ10, and dry-powder CoQ10.

The researcher designed a randomized double-blind laboratory study for the three formulations that was conducted by the same laboratory and investigators and used the same protocol, the same analytical laboratory, and the same methods of analysis.

Participants were matched groups of normal males and females.

Single-dose absorption and steady-state bioavailability was determined for nine CoQ10 formulations: (1) three formulations of CF CoQ10 in lipid-based softgels, (2) three formulations of crystalline CoQ10 in lipid-based softgels, and (3) three formulations of dry-powder CoQ10 in two-piece, hard gelatin capsules. Plasma profiles were constructed and used to calculate the plasma level at Cmax and the percentage of the dose. From the steady-state bioavailability profiles, the plasma concentrations and the area under the curve (AUC) were determined. From that data, the relationship between the single-dose absorption and the steady-state bioavailability was derived using a linear regression analysis.

The single-dose absorption was significantly greater for the CF group compared to that for the crystalline and dry-powder groups (P ≤ .001). The absorption and bioavailability of the crystalline group was significantly greater than that for the dry-powder group (P ≤ .001). For the CF group, the Δ Cmax was 1.83 ± 0.58 ug/ml, the % absorption was 7.03 ± 2.03, the steady-state CoQ10 level was 3.28 ±0.92 ug/ml, and the AUC was 32.80 ± 10.05 ug/ml x days. For the crystalline group, the Δ Cmax was 1.40 ±0.24, the % absorption 3.08 ± 0.53, the steady-state plasma level was 2.50 ± 0.54 ug/ml, and the AUC was 7.55 ± 1.87 ug/ml x days. For the dry powder group, the Δ Cmax was 0.33 ± 0.05 ug/ml, the % absorption was 1.28 ± 0.96 %, the steady-state plasma CoQ10 level was 1.55 ± 0.43 ug/ml, and the AUC was 5.34 ± 1.10 ug/ml x days. The CF formulation's absorption and bioavailability were superior to that of the crystalline and the dry powder formulations. The relationship between the single-dose absorption and the steady-state bioavailability was described by the linear equation y = 1.26 x 1.60.

The CF formulation was superior in absorption and steady-state bioavailability compared to the crystalline and dry powder formulations. The linear relationship between the single-dose absorption and the steady-state bioavailability gives an estimate of the steady-state bioavailability in a 24-hour study compared to a longer and more expensive 30-day study.