Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States and are used for the treatment or prevention of coronary artery disease. Muscle symptoms (pain, aches, weakness, or cramps) are the most common side effect associated with statin use and these symptoms affect quality of life and cause some individuals to stop using statin therapy. Some evidence suggests that use of a dietary supplement, coenzyme Q10, may improve muscle symptoms in statin users. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential cofactor in mitochondrial energy production and has been linked to the development of neuromuscular diseases. Because CoQ10 shares a common biosynthetic pathway with cholesterol, it has been hypothesized that inhibition of CoQ10 synthesis by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) may be responsible for adverse muscle effects experienced by some statin users. Serum CoQ10 has been shown to decrease with statin use, but it remains unclear if this has clinical significance. The applicant proposes two studies focused on statin use and muscle symptoms. First, the applicant proposes a rigorously designed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm trial of 100 statin users with active muscle pain to evaluate the effects of CoQ10. From among ~300 patients who have a history of muscle pain with statin use, 100 patients who have confirmed active muscle symptoms on rechallenge with simvastatin 40 mg/day during a run-in phase of up to 3 months will be randomized to a standardized 600 mg CoQ10 supplement (300 mg taken 2 times daily) or placebo over 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be pain severity at 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include ability to tolerate simvastatin 40 mg/day and muscle strength. Second, the applicant will use data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to evaluate the relationship between pain burden and muscle strength with statin use in U.S. adults 40 years and older. Through the above research, coursework at the Harvard School of Public Health, seminars, and training in collecting standardized measurements of muscle symptoms, the applicant will enhance her methodological skills, gain experience in clinical trial research, and collect data for future studies as an independent investigator. The applicant's long-term goal is to become a leader and expert in research on dietary supplement use among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors or disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23AR055664-03
Application #
8044154
Study Section
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Grants Review Committee (AMS)
Program Officer
Nuckolls, Glen H
Project Start
2009-03-01
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$129,301
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Perry, Carlton J; Blake, Pamela; Buettner, Catherine et al. (2016) Upregulation of inflammatory gene transcripts in periosteum of chronic migraineurs: Implications for extracranial origin of headache. Ann Neurol 79:1000-13
Buettner, Catherine; Greenman, Robert L; Ngo, Long H et al. (2016) Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Metabolism in Statin Users Assessed Using (31)P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: a Randomized Controlled Study. J Nat Sci 2:
Buettner, Catherine; Nir, Rony-Reuven; Bertisch, Suzanne M et al. (2015) Simvastatin and vitamin D for migraine prevention: A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Neurol 78:970-81
Morioka, Travis Y; Lee, Alice J; Bertisch, Suzanne et al. (2015) Vitamin D status modifies the association between statin use and musculoskeletal pain: a population based study. Atherosclerosis 238:77-82
Buettner, Catherine; Burstein, Rami (2015) Association of statin use and risk for severe headache or migraine by serum vitamin D status: a cross-sectional population-based study. Cephalalgia 35:757-66
Bertisch, Suzanne M; Herzig, Shoshana J; Winkelman, John W et al. (2014) National use of prescription medications for insomnia: NHANES 1999-2010. Sleep 37:343-9
Zhang, XiChun; Jakubowski, Moshe; Buettner, Catherine et al. (2013) Ezogabine (KCNQ2/3 channel opener) prevents delayed activation of meningeal nociceptors if given before but not after the occurrence of cortical spreading depression. Epilepsy Behav 28:243-8
Cocchi, Michael N; Giberson, Brandon; Berg, Katherine et al. (2012) Coenzyme Q10 levels are low and associated with increased mortality in post-cardiac arrest patients. Resuscitation 83:991-5
Buettner, Catherine; Rippberger, Matthew J; Smith, Julie K et al. (2012) Statin use and musculoskeletal pain among adults with and without arthritis. Am J Med 125:176-82
Wells, Rebecca Erwin; Bertisch, Suzanne M; Buettner, Catherine et al. (2011) Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults with migraines/severe headaches. Headache 51:1087-97

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