CoQ10 supplementation reduces markers of inflammation, meta-analysis shows
Highlights
- Meta-analysis of 7 randomized, controlled clinical trials
- Participants include people with CVD, diabetes and other diseases
- CoQ10 dosage range 60-300 mg/day, study duration 8 to 12 weeks
- CoQ10 reduces plasma levels of CRP and IL-6 (200 mg/day or more, most effective)
Summary
This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the effect of co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on plasma levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6).
The inclusion criteria included studies published in the peer-reviewed literature (from inception up to December 2016) that were randomized, controlled clinical trials with a parallel or crossover design with CoQ10 supplementation as the active treatment vs. a control group (either no CoQ10 supplementation or placebo) and sufficient information to report on changes in plasma CRP levels. Secondary outcome measures included changes in plasma IL-6 levels and cardiometabolic risk factors in response to CoQ10 supplementation.
Random effects models meta-analysis was used for quantitative data synthesis. Sensitivity analysis used the leave-one-out method, and heterogeneity was quantitatively assessed using the I2 index.
Seven studies (published from 2009 to 2015) met the inclusion criteria with a combined total of 334 participants, including people with cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, overweight, renal disease or mild hypertension. CoQ10 supplementation ranged from 60 to 300 mg/day, and study durations ranged from 8 to 12 weeks.
Results indicate CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced plasma IL-6 levels (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -0.72pg/dl), particularly at high dosages (200 mg/day or more). CoQ10 supplementation also nonsignificantly reduced plasma CRP levels ([WMD = -0.25mg/l); however, the authors suggest that publication biased likely precluded the effect on CRP from reaching statistical significance. Changes in plasma CRP levels were dependent on duration of CoQ10 supplementation, but independent of dosage. These findings were robust in sensitivity analyses, and no evidence of significant heterogeneity across studies was found.
These findings suggest that CoQ10 supplementation, especially higher dosages (200 mg/day or more) may help reduce the risk of inflammation-related diseases including cardiovascular diseases.
