L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 in Relation to the Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Enzymes Activities, Inflammation, and the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease
L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 in Relation to the Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Enzymes Activities, Inflammation, and the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of Taiwan. L-carnitine (LC) and coenzyme
 Q10 is recognized as lipid soluble antioxidants. The purposes of this study are going to
 investigate the relation of LC and coenzyme Q10 with the markers of lipid peroxidation,
 antioxidant enzymes activities, and the inflammatory markers in coronary artery disease (CAD)
 patients. The study is designed as a three-year study. The first year is an observation
 study. We will recruit CAD patients who are identified by cardiac catheterization as having
 at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery, and age-gender matched healthy subjects.
 The concentrations of LC, coenzyme Q10, lipid peroxidation markers (TBARS and ox-LDL),
 antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and
 superoxide dismutase), and inflammatory markers are going to analysis. The second year is a
 single-blind, single dose intervention study. CAD subjects are recruit form the first year
 and randomly assigned to placebo, coenzyme Q10-150 (150 mg/d), coenzyme Q10-300 (300 mg/d),
 LC-1000 (1000 mg/d) or LC-2000 (2000 mg/d) groups. Intervention is going to administration
 for three months. Fasting blood will be obtained in each month and determine the
 concentration of LC, coenzyme Q10, lipid peroxidation markers, antioxidant enzymes
 activities, and inflammatory markers after intervention. The third year is a single-blind,
 multiple doses intervention study. We are going to measure the CAD subjects from the second
 year intervention study. After three months washout period, the subjects are assigned to
 placebo, coenzyme Q10-150 plus LC-1000, coenzyme Q10-150 plus LC-2000, coenzyme Q10-300 plus
 LC-1000, and coenzyme Q10-300 plus LC-2000 groups. Intervention is going to administration
 for three months. Fasting blood will be obtained in each month and determine the
 concentration of LC, coenzyme Q10, lipid peroxidation markers, antioxidant enzymes
 activities, and inflammatory markers after intervention. Hopefully, the results of this study
 could provide information of LC and coenzyme Q10 supplementation for clinical dietitian in
 advising CAD patients.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Clinical diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD): CAD patients were identified as
 having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery by cardiac catheterization
 or as have received percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

 -  Health subjects: Subjects did not have any illnesses and a history of gastrointestinal
 disorder, cardiovascular disease (showed normal electrocardiogram), hypertension,
 hyperlipidemia, liver and renal disease, diabetes, cancer, alcoholism or other
 metabolic disease and exhibited normal blood biochemical values, including fasting
 blood glucose < 6.11 mmol/L, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) < 7.9 mmol/L, creatinine <
 123.8 umol/L, alkaline phosphates < 190 U/L, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) <
 35 U/L and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) < 45 U/L.

 -  Must be able to swallow tablets

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  age < 20 years old

 -  pregnancy women

 -  taking antioxidant vitamins supplements