CoQ10 Can Benefit Horses with EPM and Lyme Disease
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble antioxidant the body produces within the cellular mitochondria, and it can offer significant support for horses with EPM and Lyme disease.
It is essential for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells.
Chemical structure of CoQ10
In human nutrition, supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been used for decades, targeting:
Performance
Cardiovascular health
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Excessive oxidative stress
Metabolic support
Mitochondrial dysfunction affects the whole body
If the mitochondria fail to produce sufficient ATP for cells to properly function, muscles, organs, brain, nerves, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and metabolism functions are greatly affected.
This lack of the necessary CoQ10 and ATP is called mitochondrial dysfunction.
Mitochondrial dysfunction particularly affects the GI tract (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease) and triggers significant changes in the gut microbiome. The gut is the seat of health, with variances in the gut microbiota colonies affecting neurotransmitters, the immune system, and overall wellbeing.
Effects of low functioning mitochondria on the equine gut
Like the gut-brain axis, the bidirectional communication between brain and gut, the gut microbiota and the cellular mitochondria communicate with each other. Some researchers have labeled this “cross talk.”
Mitochondrial dysfunction not only affects bidirectional communication; it also affects the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are crucial for fiber fermentation in the equine hindgut.
Butyric acid (SCFA) molecule
Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction can drive microbiota dysbiosis, impacting digestion and the immune system. The negative effects of this include an increase in gut inflammation, intestinal barrier permeability (leaky gut), and conditions that enable pathogenic bacteria to thrive.1
EPM and Lyme disease are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) causes damage to nerve cells leading to what researchers call “starved cells.” How does this happen?
EPM causes inflammation and oxidative stress.
This inflammation and oxidative stress disrupts cellular energy production (via mitochondria).
The lack of cellular energy production leads to fatigue and neurological symptoms.
Lyme disease, on the other hand, can cause damage to mitochondrial membranes. The chronic inflammation caused by Lyme disease can impair cellular energy production.
EPM and the GI tract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in various stages
After a horse ingests the EPM-causing parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, the protozoa cause inflammation and breach the intestinal wall. This infection can then trigger inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in neurological symptoms.
The gut is affected due to the subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction reducing SCFA production in the hind gut and enabling pathogenic bacteria to thrive.
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Lyme disease and the GI tract
Borrelia burgdorferi: Lyme disease bacteria
In Lyme disease, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi can disrupt the GI tract by altering the microbiome, leading to higher colonies of pathogenic bacteria. When specific antibiotics are used to combat Lyme, those antibiotics can also affect mitochondrial stability.
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Medications can contribute to low functioning mitochondria
Some specific medications and NSAIDS have been shown to affect mitochondrial function2:
Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Ibuprofen*
Naproxen*
Supplementing with CoQ10 (supporting the mitochondria) is important for horses with Lyme disease, especially when using specific antibiotics and NSAIDs.
* Indicates NSAID
How CoQ10 can help horses with EPM and Lyme disease
Supporting and restoring mitochondrial function:
Supporting and restoring mitochondrial function:In the event of mitochondrial dysfunction, CoQ10 helps…
Boost ATP production
Reduce inflammation
Reduce fatigue
Inhibit cell death pathways
Support muscle recovery (can increase CoQ10 levels in skeletal muscle)
Maintain inner mitochondrial membrane integrity
Regenerating vitamins E and C:
Regenerating vitamins E and C:CoQ10 is a free radical scavenger that can donate electrons to recycle vitamin E and vitamin C.3
According to a study by Kentucky Equine Research (KER), the combination of vitamin E and CoQ10 creates peak antioxidant effects, helping to reduce oxidative stress.4
As supportive therapy:
As supportive therapy:CoQ10 is not a treatment for EPM and Lyme disease. It does not replace pharmacological treatments.
CoQ10’s ability to restore mitochondrial function by enhancing ATP production, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and regenerating vitamin E make it an important part of supportive therapy for horses with EPM and Lyme disease.
CoQ10 and other medications
Blood thinners (warfarin) that are sometimes used off-label to treat chronic laminitis can have interactions with CoQ10, making the blood thinners less effective.
CoQ10 also has interactions with blood pressure meds, statins and beta blockers.
Supplementing with CoQ10
There are two forms of CoQ10: Ubiquinol and Ubiquinone.
Ubiquinol is the most bioavailable form of CoQ10, providing faster absorption. It is the only form that can recycle vitamins E and C.
Due to its high bioavailability, Ubiquinol dosage is less than that of Ubiquinone. However, some companies still choose to use Ubiquinone, as it is less expensive than Ubiquinol.
Bioavailability has always been a hallmark of BioStar, which is why we choose to formulate with Ubiquinol.
BioStar’s Phoenix Q10™ paste formulation
Phoenix Q10™ is an antioxidant complex and paste that provides CoQ10 in its most bioavailable form, supporting mitochondrial function, production of ATP, oxidative stress protection, and more.
The patented Kaneka Ubiquinol® (CoQ10), made from microbial fermented yeast strains, for ultimate bioavailability and absorption.
Because CoQ10 is fat soluble, it must be combined with another fat. We use our Sunn-E 1000™ With Avocado (1,000 IUs per serving) and MCT oil to supply energy for the brain and reduce inflammation.
Additional antioxidant support in this paste comes from Capros® (Indian gooseberry) and organic kale to help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Pharmaceutical-grade apple pectin helps protect the intestinal mucosa via its prebiotic benefits helping to modulate gut bacteria.
Click here to shop Phoenix Q10™ Click here to learn more about Phoenix Q10™
CoQ10 serves as supportive therapy for horses with EPM or Lyme disease
The ability of CoQ10 to regulate and reduce mitochondrial dysfunction makes it an important part of your horse’s recovery.
References
1 The Crosstalk between the Gut Microbiota and Mitochondria during Exercise | Frontiers in Physiology: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00319/full
2 Drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity: Risks of developing glucose handling impairments | Frontiers in Endocrinology: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1123928/full
3 Coenzyme Q and vitamin E need each other as antioxidants | ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227315579_Coenzyme_Q_and_vitamin_E_need_each_other_as_antioxidants
4 Vitamin E with Coenzyme Q10: Combine for Peak Antioxidant Effect | Kentucky Equine Research: https://ker.com/equinews/vitamin-e-with-coenzyme-q10-combine-for-peak-antioxidant-effect/
About the Author: With over 30 years experience in the equine and human supplement industry, Tigger Montague knows nutrition from the synthetic side as well as the whole food side. She started BioStar US in 2006 with formulas she created in her kitchen. Before she started the company, she was an avid rider and competitor with eventing and show jumping, until she got hooked on dressage in the late 1980’s. She has competed on horses she’s owned and trained all the way from training level to Grand Prix.
