Beneficial Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Treatment on the Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress Associated to Atherothrombosis Developement in Antiphospholipidid Syndrome Patients

The study will be performed on 50 APS (antiphospholipid Syndrome) patients, which will be randomized to receive either CoQ10 (200mg/day) or placebo for one month. Blood will be drawn at time 0 and at the end of the treatment. Studies will be conducted in plasma and purified leukocytes from APS. Design: 1) Study of endothelial function: 2) Analysis of changes operated on various prothrombotic/proinflammatory parameters and their associated intracellular signalling. 3) Analysis of mitochondrial ultra structure and activity; mitochondrial antioxidant system characterization; Expression levels and activity of transcription factors/proteins involved in oxidative stress (Foxo 3, NFkB, Nrf2), Quantification of CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10). 4) Biomarkers of oxidative stress. 5) miRNAs microarrays, RT-PCR validation and correlation/association studies. 6) Induction of over-expression of miRNAs of interest; luciferase constructs. 7)Studies of methylation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who fulfilled Sidney criteria for APS (antiphospholipid Syndrome) (Miyakis S et al., J Thromb Haemost 2006; 4:295-306)
2. Age over 18 years
3. Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acute Liver Disease.
2. Severe renal impairment
3. Acute arterial or venous thrombosis episode in the last 3 months
4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding