MitoQ (mitoquinone)
Mechanism, regulatory status, and an honest, tiered evidence map.
What it is
Class: Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (mtROS)
Also known as: mitoquinone, mitoquinol, MitoQ10
Relationship to mitochondrial health: MitoQ is a ubiquinone (coenzyme-Q derivative) conjugated to a lipophilic triphenylphosphonium cation so that it accumulates several-hundredfold at the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it is intended to quench excess mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS).
Regulatory status
Sold as a dietary supplement; not an approved drug and not approved for any anti-aging or cardiovascular indication. No established therapeutic dose for aging.
Mechanism
Targets mtROS at the inner membrane; the human vascular RCT measured endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation), aortic stiffness, and oxidised LDL. See /mitochondrial-ros.
Evidence — Human (randomized crossover RCT)
| Species / population | 20 healthy older adults (60-79 y) with impaired endothelial function (Rossman 2018). |
| Exposure, route, schedule | Oral MitoQ 20 mg/day for 6 weeks. |
| Comparator / duration | Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover. |
| Endpoint / numeric result | Brachial-artery flow-mediated dilation ~42% higher vs placebo; lower aortic stiffness (in those with elevated baseline) and lower plasma oxidised LDL. |
| What it did NOT establish | Small, short crossover with a surrogate vascular endpoint; no clinical-outcome or lifespan evidence. |
Negative or null findings
- Endothelium-independent dilation, inflammation markers, and several other measures did not differ from placebo.
- n=20; no hard clinical outcome and no lifespan endpoint.