Only a few years ago the adverse effect of statin drugs on mitochondrial function was considered to be a theoretical problem on the basis of excessive CoQ10 reduction with statin use but few cases had actually been observed. This is no longer true for now researchers have demonstrated the reality of statin induced mitochondrial mutations in a growing number of studies.
To cite but a few of the dozens of reports now in the medical literature, Sirvent and others have reported on Zocor associated mitochondrial alteration in skeletal muscle. Velho JA and others have reported statin induced, calcium-dependent mitochondrial permeability problems. Schick BA and others reported decreased skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA in patients treated with high-dose Zocor. Gambelli S and others reported mitochondrial alterations in muscle biopsies of patients on statin therapy.
Statin drugs were designed to inhibit the reductase step of our mevalonate metabolic pathway. Only in this manner could drug company biochemists significantly inhibit cholesterol synthesis. The result was the multi-billion dollar statin drug industry.
The possible side effects from this oversight we call collateral damage and the consequences are severe. For the purpose of this article I shall focus only on CoQ10 deficiency resulting from statin use.
Mitochondrial mutations result primarily from CoQ10's powerful anti-oxidant function. Our mitochondria are front-line warriors in the body's constant struggle to provide sufficient oxygen without sustaining excessive oxidative damage.
Most of the anti-oxidative capacity depends upon CoQ10. It is this substance that shields our mitochondria from excessive oxidative damage with its free radical formation and point mutations. In the absence of sufficient CoQ10 the mitochondrial warriors are the first to fall from oxidative damage with progressive inability to perform the function in energy production for which they were designed. The result is the research cited in the opening paragraph.
When drug companies tell us of the wonderful effectiveness of their statin drugs for cholesterol control with some 40-50% reduction in cholesterol, what they are not telling you is that our CoQ10 also is reduced 40-50% (with similar alterations in the other components of the mevalonate metabolic tree.) The inevitable result of CoQ10 lowering secondary to statin use is lack of anti-oxidation effectiveness leading to mitochondrial mutations. Other consequences of CoQ10 lack have to do with cell wall integrity and energy and although of extreme importance are not relevant to this page.
Of course, another thing the drug companies are not telling you when they promote their powerful statins is that cholesterol reduction is no longer considered by many to be relevant to CV disease control. Inflammation is the problem, they say, and statins work by their powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon
Former NASA Astronaut
Retired Family Doctor
