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

Authors

Weiwen Chai, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Rachel Novotny, University of Hawaii, Manoa
Gertraud Maskarinec, University of Hawaii Cancer Center
Loic Le Marchand, University of Hawaii Cancer Center
Adrian A. Franke, University of Hawaii Cancer Center
Robert V. Cooney, University of Hawaii, Manoa

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2014) 33(3): 192–197. DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2013.862490.

Comments

Copyright 2014, American College of Nutrition. Used by permission.

Abstract

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 Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) between adolescent girls and premenopausal women to assess changes from childhood to midlife.

Methods

Baseline serum CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and CRP levels were measured in 207 girls (13-19 years) and 183 premenopausal women (34-47 years) using standard methods and the two 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 CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ- tocopherol, and CRP levels relative to premenopausal women (CoQ₁₀: 376 vs. 544 ng/mL, P < 0.0001; α-tocopherol: 6.9 vs. 13.5 μg/mL, P < 0.0001; γ-tocopherol: 1.3 vs. 1.7 μg/mL, P < 0.0001; CRP: 1.29 vs. 2.13 mg/L, P < 0.0001). The differences in CoQ₁₀ and tocopherols remained significant after adjustment for BMI and race/ethnicity. CoQ₁₀ was significantly and positively correlated to α- and γ-tocopherol, and BMI was positively associated with CRP and γ- tocopherol in both groups.

Conclusions

Lower serum CoQ₁₀, α-tocopherol, γ-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.