Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. Studies on coenzyme Q10 and essential hypertension.

The specific activities (S.A.) of the succinate dehydrogenase-coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) reductase of a control group of 65 Japanese adults and 59 patients having essential hypertension were determined. The mean S.A. of the hypertensive group was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) and the mean % deficiency of enzyme activity was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than the values for the control group. These data on Japanese in Osaka agree with data on Americans in Dallas. Some patients showed no CoQ10-deficiency, and others showed definite deficiencies. Emphasizing the CoQ10-enzyme for patient selection, CoQ10 was administered to hypertensive patients. Four individuals showed significant but partial reductions of blood pressure. Monitoring the CoQ10-enzyme before, during, and after administration of CoQ10 indicated responses. The maintenance of high blood pressure could be primarily due to contraction of the arterial wall. Contraction or relaxation of an arterial wall is dependent upon bioenergetics, which also provide the energy for biosynthesis of angiotensin II, renin, aldosterone, and the energy for sodium and potassium transport. A clinical benefit from administration of CoQ10 to patients with essential hypertension could be based upon correcting a deficiency in bioenergetics, and point to possible combination treatments with a form of CoQ and anti-hypertensive drugs.