Bioequivalence of coenzyme Q10 from over-the-counter supplements

The objective of this study was to compare the relative bioavailability of two new products with solubilized. and non-solubilized over-the-counter (OTC) coenzyme Q(10) products. Nine healthy adults were given single 180 mg doses of each coenzyme Q10 formulation at two week intervals. A commercially-marketed, non-solubilized Q10 powder formulation (product D) was only minimally absorbed, and was excluded from the analysis of data. ANOVA comparison of maximum plasma concentrations (C-max), time of maximum concentrations (t(max)), areas under the concentration-time curves from times zero to 144 hours post dose (AUC(0-144h)), and areas under the concentration-time curves from times zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between test products A (LiQ-10(TM)) and B (Q-Nol(TM)) and the reference product C (UbiQGel(R)). The upper limits of the 90% confidence intervals of the log-transformed ratios (A:C and B:C) of C-max, AUC(0-144h), and AUC(0-infinity) were >1.25 for both test products, but significant (P < 0.05) only for the B:C AUC(0-144h). The results of this study indicate that LiQ-10(TM) has increased bioequivalence compared to the reference product, but did not reach statistical significance. Q-Nol(TM) has increased bioavailability compared to the reference product (P < 0.05). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.