High serum coenzyme Q10, positively correlated with age, selenium and cholesterol, in Inuit of Greenland. A pilot study

Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):319-23. doi: 10.1002/biof.5520090230.

Abstract

Greenlanders (Eskimos) have low prevalence of ischaemic heart disease, partly explained by a lower extent of atherosclerosis and a low n-6/n-3 ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids. As atherosclerosis is also a result of oxidative stress, the total antioxidative readiness could have a substantial impact. From a health survey we chose the subpopulation from the most remote area, where the traditional Greenlandic diet with high intake of sea mammals and fish predominates. The mean (SD) of S-CoQ10 in males was 1.495 (0.529) nmol/ml and 1.421 (0.629) nmol/ml in females, significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to a Danish population. In a linear multiple regression model the S-CoQ10 level is significantly positively associated with age and S-selenium in males, and S-total cholesterol in females. The high level of CoQ10 in Greenlanders probably reflects diet, since no bioaccumulation takes place, and it could probably be a substantial part of the antioxidative defense.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / blood*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Arteriosclerosis / epidemiology
  • Asian People
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Coenzymes
  • Denmark / ethnology
  • Female
  • Greenland / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Inuit*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / epidemiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Selenium / blood*
  • Sex Factors
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ubiquinone / blood
  • White People

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Coenzymes
  • Ubiquinone
  • Cholesterol
  • coenzyme Q10
  • Selenium