Long-term CoQ10 supplementation improves multiple risk factors of heart disease, study shows
Highlights
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 101 patients with dyslipidemia
- Supplementation consists of CoQ10 (120 mg/day for 24 weeks)
- Blood pressure and antioxidant status improve after 12 weeks; lipid and glycemic profile, after 24 weeks
- CoQ10 supplementation is well tolerated
Summary
For this study, researchers recruited 127 patients from two community health centers in China who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia but no history of CVD or atherosclerosis. As part of the inclusion criteria, eligible participants had no intention of changing diet or activity during the study and no use of medication or dietary supplements that influence lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, or oxidative stress.
A total of 101 men and women (mean age 50-52 years; mean BMI 25 kg/m2) met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for 24 weeks: CoQ10 (60 mg, twice daily) or placebo. Primary outcomes measures included changes of serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (total, LDL and HDL). Secondary outcomes were changes of other lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose, serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and inflammation and antioxidant biomarkers. Other outcomes were changes of anthropometric characteristics and liver and renal function. All the outcome measures were obtained at baseline, after week 12, and after week 24.
All 101 subjects were included in the intent-to-treat analysis; 94 participants completed the study with dropouts due to inability to attend scheduled visits (n=5) or stomach upset (n=2; one in each group). No serious adverse effects were observed during the 24-week intervention.
Results indicate that CoQ10 significantly (P<.05) reduced blood pressure compared to placebo as early as 12 weeks and at 24 weeks with mean changes of 6-8%. CoQ10 also significantly (P<.05) increased mean serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to placebo at both time points by 10-15 percent.
By the 24th week, CoQ10 also reduced triglycerides by 13% and LDL cholesterol by 8%, on average, increased ApoA-I by 8%, on average, and decreased the HOMA-IR index by 24%, on average. All changes were significant (P<.05) compared to placebo and were unrelated to any changes in diet or physical activity.
These findings suggest that CoQ10 supplementation (120 mg/day for 24 weeks) is a potential candidate for the primary prevention of CVD and a duration longer than 12 weeks is needed for maximum benefits.
