Evolutionary clues unlock CoQ10 biofortification.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) plays an important role in human health; for example, through the antioxidant function of its reduced form (ubiquinol). As the long-term health effects of circulating CoQ10 remain largely unknown, we examined the association of total CoQ10, ubiquinol, ubiquinone (oxidized CoQ10), and CoQ10 redox state (percentage of ubiquinone in total CoQ10) with all-cause mortality in a sample from the northern German general population. In n = 1333 individuals (60.1% females, median baseline age: 48.0 years [37.7; 58.0]), serum total CoQ10, ubiquinol, ubiquinone, and CoQ10 redox state were measured at baseline and found to be related to all-cause mortality using Cox regression models (adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, smoking, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, diabetes, and C-reactive protein). After 12.9 years [12.4; 17.1], n = 123 deaths had occurred. A higher CoQ10 redox state was independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality after multivariable adjustment (HR: 1.18 [95% CI 1.02-1.36] per 1-SD increment, HR: 1.92 [95% CI 1.16-3.17] for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1), while higher ubiquinone levels were associated with greater all-cause mortality risk only in the unadjusted model. A higher CoQ10 redox state was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in a population-based sample, possibly indicating detrimental long-term health effects of the lower antioxidant capacity of CoQ10.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a cluster of physiological and anthropometric abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of coenzyme Q10, vitamin A and E, and antioxidant enzymes activities in subjects with MS. Subjects in the case group (n = 72) were according to the criteria for MS, defined by the Taiwan Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health (2007). The control group (n = 105) was comprised of healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values. Plasma coenzyme Q10, vitamin A and E concentrations, lipid profiles, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and antioxidant enzymes activities [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] in Red blood cell (RBC) were measured. Subjects with MS had significantly higher concentrations of plasma coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E than those in the control group, but these differences disappeared after normalized for triglyceride level. The ratio of vitamin A to triglyceride and antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly lower in the case group compared with the control group. There was a significantly positive correlations between the levels of coenzyme Q10 and SOD (p < 0.01); vitamin A and GPx (p = 0.05); and vitamin E and GPx (p = 0.04) after adjusting for the potential confounders of MS. Subjects suffering from MS may be under a higher oxidative stress, resulting in low levels of antioxidant enzymes activities and vitamin A. Further studies are needed to evaluate antioxidant vitamins status in patients with long-term chronic MS.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 ) exists in a reduced (ubiquinol) and an oxidized (ubiquinone) form in all human tissues and functions, amongst others, in the respiratory chain, redox-cycles, and gene expression. As the status of CoQ10 is an important risk factor for several diseases, here we determined the CoQ10 status (ubiquinol, ubiquinone) in a large Caucasian study population (n = 1,911). The study population covers a wide age range (age: 18-83 years, 43.4% men), has information available on more than 10 measured clinical phenotypes, more than 30 diseases (presence vs. absence), about 30 biomarkers, and comprehensive genetic information including whole-genome SNP typing (>891,000 SNPs). The major aim of this long-term resource in CoQ10 research is the comprehensive analysis of the CoQ10 status with respect to integrated health parameters (i.e., fat metabolism, inflammation), disease-related biomarkers (i.e., liver enzymes, marker for heart failure), common diseases (i.e., neuropathy, myocardial infarction), and genetic risk in humans. Based on disease status, biomarkers, and genetic variants, our cohort is also useful to perform Mendelian randomisation approaches. In conclusion, the present study population is a promising resource to gain deeper insight into CoQ10 status in human health and disease.

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that seriously endangers human health and quality of life as the terminal stage of cardiovascular diseases. Ferroptosis as a new iron-dependent programmed cell death mode that is closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) has been found to play a crucial role in inhibiting ferroptosis and improving mitochondrial function, and its expression can be upregulated by estradiol (E2). Recent studies have found that DHODH can inhibit ferroptosis by reducing coenzyme Q (CoQ) to CoQH2. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effect of up-regulation of DHODH on the pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis of heart failure and its mechanisms. The mouse heart failure model was established by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), surgery in mice. Two days after the operation, a subcutaneous injection of E2 or the same volume of sesame oil was given for 8 weeks. Then, the left ventricular systolic function related indicators of mice were measured by echocardiography, and the degree of myocardial fibrosis of mice was detected by histological analysis; the expression levels of heart failure markers were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and western blot (WB) analysis; the morphological changes of mitochondria in cardiac cells of mice were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cell model were established by stimulating with phenylephrine for 96 hours. Ferroptosis markers were detected by kits and WB analysis. Mitochondrial function was verified by a JC-1 fluorescent probe, and 2',7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. The knockdown results were detected by WB analysis after transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) of CoQ. Fer-1 was added as a positive control to verify the ferroptosis-related changes of myocardial cells. In the animal model, we found that E2 treatment alleviates TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and suppresses cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by promotes DHODH upregulation in murine cardiomyocytes. In the cell model, DHODH upregulation protects against phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocytes with failure. However, the effect on up-regulating DHODH was inhibited by transfection to down-regulate CoQ expression. The up-regulation of DHODH could effectively ameliorate the manifestations of heart failure such as myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice after TAC surgery, inhibit ferroptosis of cardiac myocytes, and ameliorate mitochondrial function. The mechanism involves CoQ-related biological processes.

Recurrent sports injuries present complex challenges that extend beyond the playing field, impacting athletes' physical well-being, mental resilience, and financial stability. This review outlines a comprehensive framework designed to prevent and manage these setbacks, empowering athletes to achieve sustained performance and recovery. This multidimensional issue requires an integrative approach encompassing physical rehabilitation, psychological resilience, and nutritional strategies. Physically, injury prevention relies on tailored rehabilitation programs that address athletes' specific injury histories and sport-related demands. Techniques such as biomechanical assessments and neuromuscular training correct faulty movement patterns, while workload monitoring ensures a balance between training and recovery. Strength and conditioning programs have demonstrated success in reducing injury rates and enhancing musculoskeletal resilience. Psychologically, reinjury anxiety and mental disengagement are key barriers to recovery and performance. Interventions such as goal setting, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring rebuild confidence and foster readiness to return to play. Addressing psychological well-being is as critical as physical health in promoting sustained performance. Nutrition is equally pivotal, with balanced macronutrient intake supporting energy and tissue repair and micronutrients (magnesium, manganese, vitamin D, selenium, zinc, coenzyme Q10, etc.) bolstering bone health. Anti-inflammatory nutrients and proper hydration reduce muscle strain and aid recovery, while personalized dietary strategies meet the specific demands of individual sports. By integrating these physical, psychological, and nutritional dimensions, this framework empowers athletes, coaches, and medical teams to minimize injury recurrence and enhance long-term performance, ensuring athletes remain competitive and resilient in their sporting pursuits.

Coenzyme Q10 is a polyphilic molecule resembling to vitamin structure. In the cell, CoQ10 is produced from hydrophobic isoprenoid chain conjugation with benzoquinone ring. Naturally, various ubiquinone (UQ) can be produced by yeast and microorganisms and present in human as CoQ10. It plays a critical role in human health given its use as medicine, dietary supplement and in cosmetics. Currently, CoQ10 biosynthesis is highly studied due to its critical contribution in the electron transport chain and cellular respiration which produces energy in the form of ATP. It has antioxidant activity and highly used as supplement to human with various diseases depicting high need on the market. Its high scale production is based on engineering of natural producing strains through putative techniques of metabolic engineering including mutagenesis and/or metabolic pathways modification followed by fermentation strategies optimization. Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are the most used and genetically optimized. However, to date, more other strains such as Sphingomonas sp., Agrobacterium sp., and Rhodobacter sphaeroides are entirely explored with significant improvement and utility since their CoQ are similar to that produced in humans. This review will first focus on strategies used to improve CoQ10 yield with the use of preferred genetic engineering of potent strain producers and culminate with pointing out the latest medical significance of CoQ10 in light of its deficiency towards advocating its use in mitigating mitochondrial associated dysfunction, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.

Phytanic acid (PA) (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid) is a methyl-branched fatty acid that enters the body through food consumption, primarily through red meat, dairy products, and fatty marine foods. The metabolic byproduct of phytol is PA, which is then oxidized by the ruminal microbiota and some marine species. The first methyl group at the 3-position prevents the β-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA). Instead, α-oxidation of PA results in the production of pristanic acid (2,10,14-tetramethylpentadecanoic acid) with CO2. This fatty acid (FA) builds up in individuals with certain peroxisomal disorders and is historically linked to neurological impairment. It also causes oxidative stress in synaptosomes, as demonstrated by an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is a sign of oxidative stress. This review concludes that the nutraceuticals (melatonin, piperine, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), coenzyme Q10, ω-3 FA) can reduce oxidative stress and enhanced the activity of mitochondria. Furthermore, the use of nutraceuticals completely reversed the neurotoxic effects of PA on NO level and membrane potential. Additionally, the review further emphasizes the urgent need for more research into dairy-derived BCFAs and their impact on human health.

The role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant response in training adaptations and sports performance has been a large issue investigated in the last few years. The present review aims to analyze the role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant response in sports performance. For this aim, the production of reactive oxygen species in physical activities, the effect of reactive oxygen species on sports performance, the relationship between reactive oxygen species and training adaptations, inflammation, and the microbiota, the effect of antioxidants on recovery and sports performance, and strategies to use antioxidants supplementations will be discussed. Finally, practical applications derived from this information are discussed. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during physical activity greatly influences sports performance. This review concludes that ROS play a critical role in the processes of training adaptation induced by resistance training through a reduction in inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, as well as appropriate molecular signaling. Additionally, it has been established that micronutrients play an important role in counteracting free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, which cause oxidative stress, and the effects of antioxidants on recovery, sports performance, and strategies for using antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, selenium, and curcumin to enhance physical and mental well-being.

Meat and meat products have a high nutritional value. Besides major components, meat is rich in bioactive components, primarily taurine, l-carnitine, choline, alpha-lipoic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, glutathione, creatine, coenzyme Q10 and bioactive peptides. Many studies have reported their antioxidant and health-promoting properties connected with their lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory activity and protecting the organism against oxidative stress. The antioxidant activity of meat components results, among others, from the capability of scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, forming complexes with metal ions and protecting cells against damage. This review is focused to gather accurate information about meat components with antioxidant and biological activity.

Physiological actions of taurine

The Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum DC.) is an attractive plant that is highly palatable and benefits human health. There are several lineages of pepper plants in Japan. However, the classification of each lineage by analyzing its volatile compounds and studies on the effects of differences in volatile compounds on human flavor perception have not been performed in detail. Herein, we conducted gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of volatile compounds and sensory evaluation of flavor by an analytical panel using 10 commercially available dry powdered Japanese pepper products from different regions. GC and GC/MS analysis detected limonene, β-phellandrene, citronellal, and geranyl acetate as the major volatile compounds of Japanese peppers. The composition of volatile compounds showed different characteristics depending on the growing regions, and cluster analysis of composition classified the products into five groups. The sensory evaluation classified the products into four groups, and the results of both classifications were in good agreement. Our results provide an important basis for proposing cooking and utilization methods that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each lineage based on scientific evidence.

Selenium (Se) biofortification in crops has emerged as a promising strategy to address global Se deficiencies and enhance both agricultural productivity and human health. Increasing the Se content of crops through biofortification improves their resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses and boosts their nutritional value. This benefits human health by protecting against diseases such as cancer, infections and allergies when the crops are consumed. Furthermore, Se‐biofortified non‐edible plant parts have significant potential in biomedicine and could enhance the value of agricultural byproducts. This strategy contributes to a circular economy by reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and providing sustainable alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals and supplements. Ultimately, it supports environmental and economic sustainability. Nevertheless, Se biofortification faces several challenges, particularly with regard to standardization, acceptance by consumers and farmers, and the regulatory and economic frameworks that govern its implementation. Effectively addressing these issues is crucial to unlocking the full potential of Se biofortification. This could significantly improve global nutritional outcomes, reduce the prevalence of Se deficiency‐related health conditions, support the prevention and treatment of diseases and promote sustainable agricultural practices that align with long‐term food security goals. In this context, future perspectives highlight the promising integration of biofortified residues generated by Se biofortification with emerging technologies such as biorefineries and artificial intelligence. These residues could be efficiently valorized and repurposed through biorefinery processes optimized by artificial intelligence, contributing to a circular economy and sustainable resource management. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The origin and evolution of salicylic acid signaling and biosynthesis in plants

Malnutrition, or “hidden hunger,” affects nearly 2 billion people globally, posing serious challenges to public health, development, and economic growth. Unlike hunger caused by caloric deficiency, hidden hunger results from a lack of essential micronutrients. Bio fortification a strategy involving the breeding of nutrient-rich crop varieties offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and long-term solution. By enhancing levels of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A in staple crops, bio fortification plays a vital role in improving nutritional security, particularly among rural populations in developing countries. Crop bio fortification, achieved through agronomic practices, conventional breeding and genetic engineering, is a promising approach to addressing hidden hunger. Among various strategies, bio fortification in vegetable crops stands out as the most sustainable and widely acceptable. Vegetables are vital to human nutrition, being rich sources of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Enhancing their nutrient content offers an effective and long-term solution to improve dietary quality and combat micronutrient deficiencies globally. This review highlights the current status of hidden hunger and explores various biofortification strategies to combat micronutrient deficiencies. It also discusses the potential of biofortification in reducing antinutritional factors in vegetables, thereby enhancing their nutritional value and promoting better health outcomes.

Buffalo milk receives an increasing research interest and investment in different countries, mainly due to its attractive nutritional value. The data presented in this study are oriented towards the identification of new compounds in milk with benefic effects on human health, knowing that some of them can have specific biological activity: hypotensive, anti thrombotic, anti oxidative, immune modulating etc. This paper offers useful contributions for the human functional diet, by evaluating the fatty acids percent, the protein, retinol and tocoferol percent from raw milk samples of buffalo and cow milk. The results of this study reveal that the buffalo milk has a higher percent of short chained fatty acids C10 – C14, especially oleic acid, a protein level bigger than at cow and a retinol value of 44 μg/100 g, a concentration superior to cow milk and a quantity of tocoferoli and sphingomieline also higher.