Thursday June 12, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Postmenopausal women or women with the ovaries removed may be at high risk of cognitive decline.  A new study suggests that taking coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may help normalize the condition.

Mice that had been subject to ovariectomy experienced a significant decline in cognitive function four weeks after the surgery.  The study shows that supplementation with CoQ10 restored the cognitive decline.

The dose used in the study was 10mg of CoQ10 per kg body weight, orally administered daily for four weeks.

In the study, ovariectomized mice had reduced "the activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain components; NADH: cytochrome c reductase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase."  

This observation was accompanied by "higher levels of ROS, protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial swelling and reduced activity of aconitase."    

Additionally, the levels of GSH, activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase were also found reduced significantly in ovariectimized mice.

CoQ10 supplementation was found able to mitigate the mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative stress.

The study concluded "CoQ10 improves cognitive decline in post-menopausal state by modulating mitochondrial functions and oxidative stress."

Postmenopausal women or women who have the ovaries removed such as those suffering breast cancers may experience the symptoms of reduced estrogen-induced cognitive decline.  The study suggests that taking CoQ10 may help ease the condition. (David Liu, PHD)

Reference

Sandhir R, Sethi N, Aggarwal A, Khera A.  Coenzyme Q10 treatment ameliorates cognitive deficits by modulating mitochondrial functions in surgically induced menopause.  Neurochem Int. 2014 Apr 26;74C:16-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.04.011.