Statins, cholesterol, Co-enzyme Q10, and Parkinson's disease

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2005 Mar;11(2):81-4. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2004.07.012.

Abstract

'Statins', drugs that lower cholesterol are widely used. Statins block cholesterol in the body and brain by inhibiting HMG-Co-A reductase. This pathway is shared by CoQ-10. An unintended consequence of the statins is lowering of CoQ-10. As CoQ-10 may play a role in PD, its possible statins may worsen PD. Such a report has appeared. Statins came into wide use in 1997-1998, 6 years before our study began. Thus 74% of our patients on a statin had a PD duration of 1-6 years versus 56% of our patients not on a statin. A direct comparison of patients on a statin and not on a statin would bias the study in favor of the statins: patients on a statin would have a shorter disease duration and less advanced PD. Therefore we divided the patients into two groups. Group I consisted of 128 patients on a statin, and 252 not on a statin who had PD for 1-6 years. In this group, disease severity (Hoehn & Yahr Stage), levodopa dose, Co-enzyme Q10 use, prevalence of 'wearing off', dyskinesia and dementia were similar. Group II consisted of 45 patients on a statin and 200 patients not on a statin who had PD for 7-22 years. In this group disease severity, levodopa dose, Co-enzyme Q10 use, prevalence of wearing off, dyskinesia and dementia were similar. Statins although they may affect Co-enzyme Q10 levels in the body and the brain, do not worsen PD at least as assessed by stage, and prevalence of wearing-off, dyskinesia, and dementia.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Levodopa / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ubiquinone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Ubiquinone
  • Levodopa
  • Cholesterol