Development of nanoparticulate formulation of coenzyme Q₁₀ and comparison of plasma coenzyme Q₁₀ response in a single supplementation with regular coenzyme Q10 using rats

Bioavailability of a nanoparticulate formulation of coenzyme Q₁₀ (NQ20), which has high stability in the water phase, was evaluated. The particle size was 188 nm, and the zeta potential value was between -38.8 and -44.8 mV at 4, 25, and 40°C in distilled water after eight weeks storage. Bioavailability of NQ20 was compared with a commercial coenzyme Q₁₀ in oil and water phases as emulsified form using male Sprague-Dawley rats. After single oral administration of each coenzyme Q₁₀ solution, the blood of rats was collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 h, and the concentrations of coenzyme Q₁₀ were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The plasma coenzyme Q₁₀ levels at 1, 2, and 12 h were significantly higher when the rats were administered NQ20 compared to coenzyme Q₁₀ in oil. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values for NQ20 were 1.10±0.18 and 5.92±1.11 mM·h/mL, whereas the C_max and AUC of coenzyme Q₁₀ in oil were 0.79±0.07 and 5.30±0.62 mM·h/mL, respectively (p >0.05). Due to high absorbability and small particle size, NQ20 was found to have similar bioavailability to commercial coenzyme Q₁₀ in the oil phase. Results indicate applicability of NQ20 in the food industry, particularly in beverages.