| Coenzyme Q and Creatine Supplements and Parkinson's Disease |
Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra
projecting to striatum. Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) exhibit decreased muscular fitness
including decreased muscle mass, muscle strength, bioenergetic capabilities and increased
fatigability. [7]
The causes for Parkinson's disease or neural-degeneration are probably related to
mitochondrial malfunction, elevated oxidative stress, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, and inflammation.
[1,3] Levodopa is a popular treatment for Parkinson's disease, but this treatment is effective for
only a few years. [1] Other treatments newly developed or under development include methyl- and
ethyl-esterified forms of L-dopa (etilevodopa and melevodopa), Glial cell line-derived
Nuerotrophic Factor (GDNF), inhibitors of enzymes such as monoamine oxidase type-B
(monoamine oxidase inhibition, eg, rasagiline, safinamide), catechol-O-methyl transferase (eg,
BIA-3202), the monoamine re-uptake mechanism (eg, brasofensine), full or partial dopamine
agonists (eg, rotigotine , sumanirole, piribedil and BP-897). [1-3]
Non-dopaminergic treatments include alpha2 adrenergic receptor antagonists (eg, fipamezole),
adenosine A2A receptor antagonists (eg, istradefylline), AMPA receptor antagonists (eg,
talampanel), neuronal synchronization modulators (eg, levetiracetam) and agents that interact
with serotonergic systems such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A agonists (eg, sarizotan) and
5-HT2A antagonists (eg, quetiapine). [1-3]
Neuroprotective agents include anti-apoptotic kinase inhibitors (eg, CEP-1347), modulators of
mitochondrial function (eg, coenzyme Q10, creatine), growth factors (eg, leteprinim),
neuroimmunophilins (eg, V-10367), estrogens (eg, MITO-4509), c-synuclein oligomerization
inhibitors (eg, PAN-408), anti-inflammatory agent and sonic hedgehog ligands. [1-3]
Does gene therapy benefit patients suffered from Parkinson's Disease?
Three genes that produce dopamine were inserted into a disabled equine virus that was then
injected into the brain. Six human volunteers began clinical trials a year ago, and the results are
"extremely encouraging," as measured in control of Parkinson's symptoms and in side effects
such as brain inflammation. In a study of acaque monkeys, ProSavin, the gene therapy restored
the monkeys' levels of dopamine, corrected motor problems and prevented dyskinesias, as
jerkiness, rigidity and tremor.
Does Coenzyme Q(10) benefit Patients with Parkinson's Disease?
Coenzyme Q(10) is a key component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). It
serves as the electron acceptor for complexes I and II in the electron transport chain; it is also an
antioxidant. In Parkinson's disease, researchers found deficiency of complex I activity and
increased numbers of activated microglia in both Parkinson's disease postmortem tissue.
Researchers also found decreased levels of coenzyme Q(10) in blood and platelet mitochondria
from Parkinson's disease patients. Thus, impaired mitochondrial function and activated
microglia may both contribute to oxidative damage in Parkinson's disease. In a phase II study,
coenzyme Q(10) appeared to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. [4]
Can non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) benefits patients with Parkinson's
disease?
Researchers found activated microglia and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in the
striatum of deceased Parkinson's disease patients. Perhaps not surprisingly, some studies have
shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduced the risk of developing
Parkinson's disease. [5]
Does creatine benefit people suffered from Parkinson's disease?
Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD).
Creatine (Cr) is an ergogenic compound that exerts neuroprotective effects in animal studies.
Researchers from University of Munich, Germany conducted a 2-year placebo-controlled
randomized clinical trial on the effect of Cr in 60 patients with Parkinson disease. Creatine
improved patient mood and led to a smaller dose increase of dopaminergic therapy but had no
effect on overall Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores or dopamine transporter
SPECT. [6]
Researchers from Columbia University found that creatine supplementation can enhance the
benefits of resistance training, such as Chair rise performance, in patients with Parkinson
disease. [7] Creatine is well-tolerated in most studies. However, intake of creatine does have
side effects. The common side effects of creatine are upper respiratory symptoms, joint pain,
and nausea. [8]
More about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease - Supplements
Parkinson's Disease - Herbs
Parkinson's Disease - Side Effects of Drugs
Parkinson's Disease - Symptoms
[1] Fernandez-Espejo E. Pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease: prospects of neuroprotective and restorative therapies. Mol Neurobiol.
2004 Feb;29(1):15-30. [2] Johnston TH, Brotchie JM. Drugs in development for Parkinson's disease. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2004
Jul;5(7):720-6. [3] Bonuccelli U, Del Dotto P. New pharmacologic horizons in the treatment of Parkinson disease. Neurology. 2006 Oct
10;67(7 Suppl 2):S30-8. [4] Beal MF. Mitochondria, oxidative damage, and inflammation in Parkinson's disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003
Jun;991:120-31. [5] Shults CW. Therapeutic role of coenzyme Q(10) in Parkinson's disease. Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Jul;107(1):120-30.
Epub 2005 Apr 21. [5] Hald A, Lotharius J. Oxidative stress and inflammation in Parkinson's disease: is there a causal link? Exp
Neurol. 2005 Jun;193(2):279-90. [6] Bender A, et al, Creatine supplementation in Parkinson disease: a placebo-controlled randomized
pilot trial. Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7):1262-4. [7] Hass CJ, et al, Resistance training with creatine monohydrate improves upper-body
strength in patients with Parkinson disease: a randomized trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):107-15. [8] NINDS
NET-PD Investigators. A randomized, double-blind, futility clinical trial of creatine and minocycline in early Parkinson disease.
Neurology. 2006 Mar 14;66(5):664-71. Epub 2006 Feb 15. [9] Gene therapy for Parkinson's "encouraging" in early trials AFP Wed Oct 14,
11:07 AM PDT
projecting to striatum. Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) exhibit decreased muscular fitness
including decreased muscle mass, muscle strength, bioenergetic capabilities and increased
fatigability. [7]
The causes for Parkinson's disease or neural-degeneration are probably related to
mitochondrial malfunction, elevated oxidative stress, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, and inflammation.
[1,3] Levodopa is a popular treatment for Parkinson's disease, but this treatment is effective for
only a few years. [1] Other treatments newly developed or under development include methyl- and
ethyl-esterified forms of L-dopa (etilevodopa and melevodopa), Glial cell line-derived
Nuerotrophic Factor (GDNF), inhibitors of enzymes such as monoamine oxidase type-B
(monoamine oxidase inhibition, eg, rasagiline, safinamide), catechol-O-methyl transferase (eg,
BIA-3202), the monoamine re-uptake mechanism (eg, brasofensine), full or partial dopamine
agonists (eg, rotigotine , sumanirole, piribedil and BP-897). [1-3]
Non-dopaminergic treatments include alpha2 adrenergic receptor antagonists (eg, fipamezole),
adenosine A2A receptor antagonists (eg, istradefylline), AMPA receptor antagonists (eg,
talampanel), neuronal synchronization modulators (eg, levetiracetam) and agents that interact
with serotonergic systems such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A agonists (eg, sarizotan) and
5-HT2A antagonists (eg, quetiapine). [1-3]
Neuroprotective agents include anti-apoptotic kinase inhibitors (eg, CEP-1347), modulators of
mitochondrial function (eg, coenzyme Q10, creatine), growth factors (eg, leteprinim),
neuroimmunophilins (eg, V-10367), estrogens (eg, MITO-4509), c-synuclein oligomerization
inhibitors (eg, PAN-408), anti-inflammatory agent and sonic hedgehog ligands. [1-3]
Does gene therapy benefit patients suffered from Parkinson's Disease?
Three genes that produce dopamine were inserted into a disabled equine virus that was then
injected into the brain. Six human volunteers began clinical trials a year ago, and the results are
"extremely encouraging," as measured in control of Parkinson's symptoms and in side effects
such as brain inflammation. In a study of acaque monkeys, ProSavin, the gene therapy restored
the monkeys' levels of dopamine, corrected motor problems and prevented dyskinesias, as
jerkiness, rigidity and tremor.
Does Coenzyme Q(10) benefit Patients with Parkinson's Disease?
Coenzyme Q(10) is a key component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). It
serves as the electron acceptor for complexes I and II in the electron transport chain; it is also an
antioxidant. In Parkinson's disease, researchers found deficiency of complex I activity and
increased numbers of activated microglia in both Parkinson's disease postmortem tissue.
Researchers also found decreased levels of coenzyme Q(10) in blood and platelet mitochondria
from Parkinson's disease patients. Thus, impaired mitochondrial function and activated
microglia may both contribute to oxidative damage in Parkinson's disease. In a phase II study,
coenzyme Q(10) appeared to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. [4]
Can non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) benefits patients with Parkinson's
disease?
Researchers found activated microglia and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in the
striatum of deceased Parkinson's disease patients. Perhaps not surprisingly, some studies have
shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduced the risk of developing
Parkinson's disease. [5]
Does creatine benefit people suffered from Parkinson's disease?
Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD).
Creatine (Cr) is an ergogenic compound that exerts neuroprotective effects in animal studies.
Researchers from University of Munich, Germany conducted a 2-year placebo-controlled
randomized clinical trial on the effect of Cr in 60 patients with Parkinson disease. Creatine
improved patient mood and led to a smaller dose increase of dopaminergic therapy but had no
effect on overall Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores or dopamine transporter
SPECT. [6]
Researchers from Columbia University found that creatine supplementation can enhance the
benefits of resistance training, such as Chair rise performance, in patients with Parkinson
disease. [7] Creatine is well-tolerated in most studies. However, intake of creatine does have
side effects. The common side effects of creatine are upper respiratory symptoms, joint pain,
and nausea. [8]
More about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease - Supplements
Parkinson's Disease - Herbs
Parkinson's Disease - Side Effects of Drugs
Parkinson's Disease - Symptoms
[1] Fernandez-Espejo E. Pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease: prospects of neuroprotective and restorative therapies. Mol Neurobiol.
2004 Feb;29(1):15-30. [2] Johnston TH, Brotchie JM. Drugs in development for Parkinson's disease. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2004
Jul;5(7):720-6. [3] Bonuccelli U, Del Dotto P. New pharmacologic horizons in the treatment of Parkinson disease. Neurology. 2006 Oct
10;67(7 Suppl 2):S30-8. [4] Beal MF. Mitochondria, oxidative damage, and inflammation in Parkinson's disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003
Jun;991:120-31. [5] Shults CW. Therapeutic role of coenzyme Q(10) in Parkinson's disease. Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Jul;107(1):120-30.
Epub 2005 Apr 21. [5] Hald A, Lotharius J. Oxidative stress and inflammation in Parkinson's disease: is there a causal link? Exp
Neurol. 2005 Jun;193(2):279-90. [6] Bender A, et al, Creatine supplementation in Parkinson disease: a placebo-controlled randomized
pilot trial. Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7):1262-4. [7] Hass CJ, et al, Resistance training with creatine monohydrate improves upper-body
strength in patients with Parkinson disease: a randomized trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):107-15. [8] NINDS
NET-PD Investigators. A randomized, double-blind, futility clinical trial of creatine and minocycline in early Parkinson disease.
Neurology. 2006 Mar 14;66(5):664-71. Epub 2006 Feb 15. [9] Gene therapy for Parkinson's "encouraging" in early trials AFP Wed Oct 14,
11:07 AM PDT
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