Can CoQ10 exhibit prooxidant activity?

A prooxidant is an atom or molecule that promotes oxidation of another atom or molecule by accepting electrons. We have received a recent question that asked: “Can CoQ10 exhibit pro-oxidant activity?” We relayed this inquiry to one of the senior scientists at Tishcon Corp and received the following reply:

“Under certain experimental conditions, CoQ10, like other antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C can be made to exhibit prooxidant activity. But this has not been demonstrated under normal physiological conditions in humans or animals. Remember that the pro-oxidant activity is transient and may be biologically essential in cell signaling.”