The effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on blood rheology were studied in patients with ischemic heart disease. Twenty milligrams of CoQ10 was administrated per os three times daily (total dose 60 mg per day) for two months. Whole blood viscosity was measured at the shear rates of 37.5, 75, 150 and 375 sec-1 with a conplate type viscometer. Whole blood viscosity at each shear rate was decreased after administration of CoQ10. Casson viscosity and yield shear stress were calculated using the Casson plot method from the blood viscosity at each shear rate. Yield shear stress was significantly lowered after administration of CoQ10, while Casson viscosity was not significantly changed. Both the hemolysis starting point and hemolysis end point represented by mOsm were determined by means of the coil plant centrifuge method. These parameters, which reflect osmotic fragility of erythrocytes, showed significant decreases after administration of CoQ10. After the blood was diluted with a phosphate buffer solution, passage time through the Nuclepore membrane with a pore size of 5 μm was measured 10 min after the in vitro administration of CoQ10 of 5 μg. This passage time was significantly shortened after administration of CoQ10. There were no significant changes in hematocrit and fibrinogen after administration of CoQ10. These results show that administration of CoQ10 improves hemorheology in ischemic heart disease, and thus suggests that oxygen transport to heart muscle is increased by treatment of CoQ10.
