A trial design published in mid 2020 has been highlighted by ingredient supplier Bioenergy Life Science, which markets its branded, patented D-ribose ingredient. The researchers, who are associated with the University of Kansas Health system, are looking at how a combination of d-ribose and ubiquinol, the reduced and more bioavailable form of CoQ10, could benefit patients with a particular kind of heart failure, known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, called HFpEF for short. The trial is being supported by an NIH grant.
Ingredient combo could improve heart muscle energetics
The researchers noted that this type of heart disease is often misdiagnosed, with patients often complaining of nonspecific symptoms such as indigestion. This misdiagnosis is a critical issue, as the optimal treatments for the various types of heart failure differ.
The researchers postulate that the d-ribose/ubiquinol combination could benefit these patients because of their ability to shift energy production within heart muscle cells.
“Both ubiquinol and d-ribose are over-the-counter supplements that may improve mitochondrial bioenergetics. In our paper, we will review the role of mitochondrial metabolism as it may relate to HFpEF pathophysiology and the potential mechanisms by which ubiquinol and d-ribose may impact mitochondrial function,” they wrote.
The researchers have recruited 153 patients for their double blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study began in February of 2018 and is expected to be completed in March of this year.
Trial a first on this particular combination
Bioenergy officials say the new research is significant for several reasons.
“Since Dr Stephen Sinatra MD, the nutritional triad of d-ribose, CoQ10 and L-carnitine for cardiac health in the 1990s, extensive research has been conducted on these ingredients with good results. However, little has been done to study these ingredients in combination,” said Alex Xue, Phd, Bioenergy’s vice president and chief scientific officer.
Micheal Crabtree, ND, director of scientific affairs and technology for Bioenergy, said the new research can potentially help support patients who are experiencing unique stresses at the moment as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
“The psychological stress many people are feeling right now can lead to a depressed metabolism. In an aging population,
one of the first places we might see this decline is in heart health,” Crabtree said. “Both d-ribose and ubiquinol are associated with generating ATP, which may provide the energy needed to support the health of a body under stress including the heart.”
“We predict a good outcome for this study. This news is already significant to the heart health category at a time when interest in conservative approaches to managing heart health is building,” he added.
Crabtree said Bioenergy is planning future research that will look into the synergistic activity with other nutrients such as vitamin D3, which has gained prominence during the pandemic.
Source: Annals of Medicine and Surgery
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2020.05.009
Potential use of ubiquinol and d-ribose in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Pierce JD, et al.
