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Coenzyme Q10 levels in women with preeclampsia living at different altitudes

Abstract:

Background: Preeclampsia is a common disorder of pregnancy exhibiting abnormal plasma and placental coenzyme Q<inf>10</inf> (CoQ<inf>10</inf>) levels when compared to normal pregnancies. Objective: To evaluate CoQ<inf>10</inf> levels both in plasma and placenta among normal pregnant (n = 60) and preeclamptic (n = 63) primigravid women and determine the effect of high or low altitude residency. Study design: CoQ<inf>10</inf> was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique and group comparisons were performed. Results: Preeclamptic women living at high altitude displayed significantly lower CoQ<inf>10</inf> plasma levels (0.64 ± 0.23 vs. 0.82 ± 0.46 μmol/L, p = 0.05). No differences were found in CoQ <inf>10</inf> plasma levels among women living at sea level. Interestingly, plasma CoQ<inf>10</inf> levels at low altitude in normal pregnancies were significantly lower than high altitude normal pregnancies. Compared to normal pregnancies, preeclamptic women displayed higher placental CoQ<inf>10</inf> content, which was only significant among those living at sea level (0.120 ± 0.07 vs. 0.076 ± 0.04 ng/mg protein, p < 0.005). Normal pregnant women living at high altitude displayed higher placental CoQ <inf>10</inf> content when compared to those residing at sea level (p < 0.0005). Conclusion: Women suffering from preeclampsia (high or low altitude) display high placental CoQ<inf>10</inf> content, with significant low plasma CoQ<inf>10</inf> levels among those residing in high altitude. More research is warranted to establish the cause-effect relationship between CoQ<inf>10</inf> levels and preeclampsia. © 2008 - IUBMB/IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.