Coenzyme Q₁₀ is increased in placenta and cord blood during preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a common (∼7% of all pregnancies) disorder of human pregnancy in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. Despite many years of intensive research, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) in placental tissue compared to maternal and umbilical cord levels both during normal pregnancy and in those complicated with preeclampsia. Pregnant women (n = 30) and women with preeclampsia (n = 30) were included. Maternal, newborn cord blood levels and placental content of coenzyme Q₁₀ were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma coenzyme Q₁₀ levels were significantly higher in normal pregnant women than in women with preeclampsia. CoQ₁₀ content in placenta from women with preeclampsia (mean 0.28 SEM 0.11 nmol/mg protein) was significantly higher compared to normal pregnancy (mean 0.09 SEM 0.01 nmol/mg protein; p = 0.05). Levels of CoQ ₁₀ in cord blood from normal pregnant women (mean 0.30 SEM 0.05 μmol/l) were significantly lower than in preeclamptic women (mean 4.03 SEM 2.38 μmol/l). In conclusion, these data indicate a possible involvement of CoQ₁₀ in preeclampsia that might bear deep physiopathological significance and deserve to be further elucidated.