No effect of combined coenzyme Q10 and selenium supplementation on atorvastatin-induced myopathy

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of Q10 and selenium supplementation on statin-induced myopathy (SIM), both for subjective symptoms and muscle function. Design. Patients (N = 43) who had experienced previous or ongoing SIM on atorvastatin therapy were recruited. Following a 6-week washout period during which no statins were administered, the patients were re-challenged with 10 mg of atorvastatin. Patients (N = 41) who experienced SIM continued the atorvastatin treatment and were in addition randomized to receive 12 weeks supplement of 400 mg Q10 and 200 μg selenium per day or a matching double placebo. SIM was assessed using 3 validated symptom questionnaires, and a muscle function test was performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results. The patients receiving the active supplement experienced significant increases in their serum Q10 and selenium concentrations compared with the group receiving placebo. No statistically significant differences in symptom questionnaire scores or muscle function tests were revealed between the groups. Conclusions. Despite substantial increases in the serum Q10 and selenium levels following the oral supplementation, this study revealed no significant effects on SIM compared with the placebo.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00113477.

Key words::

• Q10
• selenium
• statin-induced myopathy

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Siri Johannesen for excellent and enduring work with the sub-anaerobic threshold exercise test, Anne Blegstad for collecting blood samples, Anne Syrrist for analyzing lactate, Anders Åsberg and Monica Hermann for help with design and planning of this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from Pharma Nord ApS, DK-7100 Vejle, Denmark. This study was accepted and presented as an Oral presentation at International Society of Atherosclerosis’ XV International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, June 14–18th 2009, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.