Ubiquinol, also known as ubiquinol-10, is the fully reduced form of coenzyme Q10. It is produced in mitochondria and has the ability to protect cells from oxidative damage and enhance mitochondrial activity. It is also a potent fat-soluble antioxidant. In preventing lipid peroxidation damage, ubiquinol-10 is about as effective as alpha-tocopherol, which is considered the best fat-soluble antioxidant in humans. The number of free radicals scavenged per molecule of ubiquinol-10 is 1.1 Unlike alpha-tocopherol, ubiquinone-10 is not recycled by ascorbic acid. However, ubiquinol-10 is known to be recycled by electron transport carriers in various biological membranes and may also be recycled by certain enzymes. And it has been shown that ubiquinone-10 protects α-tocopherol when both antioxidants are present in the same liposomal membrane, and that ubiquinone-10, like α-tocopherol, does not interact with reduced glutathione.

Ubiquinol can be used as a dietary supplement. Studies have shown that in glaucomatous retinas, ubiquinol supplementation significantly promotes retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival, prevents BAX activation, and increases TFAM and OXPHOS complex II protein expression. In addition, ubiquinol supplementation improved visual dysfunction caused by oxidative stress. It has the potential to treat glaucomatous neurodegeneration associated with oxidative stress. Ubiquinol intake may also alleviate mild fatigue in healthy individuals.

References:

[1] B FREI; B N A; M C Kim. Ubiquinol-10 is an effective lipid-soluble antioxidant at physiological concentrations.[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1990. DOI:10.1073/pnas.87.12.4879.

[2] YING-JIE NIU. Ubiquinol-10 delays postovulatory oocyte aging by improving mitochondrial renewal in pigs.[J]. Aging-Us, 2020. DOI:10.18632/aging.102681.

[3] GENEA EDWARDS. Effect of Ubiquinol on Glaucomatous Neurodegeneration and Oxidative Stress: Studies for Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and/or Visual Function.[J]. Antioxidants, 2020. DOI:10.3390/antiox9100952.

[4] KEI MIZUNO. Ubiquinol-10 Intake Is Effective in Relieving Mild Fatigue in Healthy Individuals.[J]. Nutrients, 2020. DOI:10.3390/nu12061640.