| 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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