Serum Coenzyme Q10, α-Tocopherol, γ-Tocopherol, and C-Reactive Protein Levels and Body Mass Index in Adolescent and Premenopausal Females

Objective: Lipid-soluble antioxidants are associated with a lower incidence for many chronic diseases of aging, possibly by preventing damage from chronic inflammation. In the current study, we compared serum levels of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) between adolescent girls and premenopausal women to assess changes from childhood to midlife. Methods: Baseline serum CoQ(10), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and CRP levels were measured in 207 girls (13-19 years) and 183 premenopausal women (34-47 years) using standard methods and the 2 age groups were compared by t test. The influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and race/ethnicity and interaction effects on serum values were assessed using analysis of covariance. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess associations between pairs of lipid micronutrients. Results: Overall, adolescent girls had significantly lower mean serum CoQ(10), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and CRP levels relative to premenopausal women (CoQ10: 376 vs 544 ng/mL, p < 0.0001; alpha-tocopherol: 6.9 vs 13.5 mu g/mL, p < 0.0001; gamma-tocopherol: 1.3 vs 1.7 mu g/mL, p < 0.0001; CRP: 1.29 vs 2.13 mg/L, p < 0.0001). The differences in CoQ(10) and tocopherols remained significant after adjustment for BMI and race/ethnicity. CoQ(10) was significantly and positively correlated to alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, and BMI was positively associated with CRP and gamma-tocopherol in both groups. Conclusions: Lower serum CoQ(10), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and CRP levels in adolescent girls compared to women suggests that adolescents may have a reduced need for antioxidants possibly due to their lower BMI and inflammatory status as indicated by CRP.