Coenzyme Q10 up‐regulates Platelet cAMP/PKA Pathway and Attenuates Integrin αIIbβ3 Signaling and Thrombus Growth

SCOPE: Platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 is the key mediator of atherothrombosis. Supplementation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a fat-soluble molecule that exists in various foods, exerts protective cardiovascular effects. This study aims to investigate whether and how CoQ10 acts on alphaIIbbeta3 signaling and thrombosis, the major cause of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a series of platelet functional assays in vitro, it is demonstrated that CoQ10 reduces human platelet aggregation, granule secretion, platelet spreading, and clot retraction. It is further demonstrated that CoQ10 inhibits platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 outside-in signaling. These inhibitory effects are mainly mediated by upregulating cAMP/PKA pathway, where CoQ10 stimulates the A2A adenosine receptor and decreases phosphodiesterase 3A phosphorylation. Moreover, CoQ10 attenuates murine thrombus growth and vessel occlusion in a ferric chloride (FeCl3 )-induced thrombosis model in vivo. Importantly, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in dyslipidemic patients demonstrates that 24 weeks of CoQ10 supplementation increases platelet CoQ10 concentrations, enhances the cAMP/PKA pathway, and attenuates alphaIIbbeta3 outside-in signaling, leading to decreased platelet aggregation and granule release. CONCLUSION: Through upregulating the platelet cAMP/PKA pathway, and attenuating alphaIIbbeta3 signaling and thrombus growth, CoQ10 supplementation may play an important protective role in patients with risks of cardiovascular diseases.