Biochemistry of Coenzyme Q10

Efficacy and Safety of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We first searched PubMed, Wanfang Data, CNKI, Embase, ClinicalTrial.gov, and other databases. The retrieval time from the establishment of the database to January 2021. We collected relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of PCOS. Risk of bias assessment and meta-analysis of RCTs were performed using RevMan 5.0 software. This systematic review and meta-analysis include a total of 9 RCTs involving 1021 patients. The results show that the addition of coenzyme Q10 may improve insulin resistance (HOMA-IR (WMD - 0.67 [- 0.87, - 0.48], P < 0.00001); fasting insulin (WMD - 1.75 [- 2.65, - 0.84], P = 0.0002); fasting plasma glucose (WMD - 5.20 [- 8.86, - 1.54], P = 0.005)), improve sex hormone levels (FSH (SMD - 0.45 [0.11, 0.78], P = 0.009); testosterone (SMD - 0.28 [- 0.49, - 0.06], P = 0.01)), and improve blood lipids (triglycerides (SMD - 0.49 [- 0.89, - 0.09], P = 0.02); total cholesterol (SMD - 0.35 [- 0.56, - 0.14], P = 0.001); LDL-C (SMD - 0.22 [- 0.43, - 0.01], P = 0.04); HDL-C (SMD 0.22 [0.01, 0.43], P = 0.04)). Only one RCT reported adverse events, and they found that patients had no adverse effects or symptoms following supplementation. Based on the current evidence, it could be considered that the addition of CoQ10 is a safe therapy to improve PCOS by improving insulin resistance (reduce HOMA-IR, FINS, FPG), increasing sex hormone levels (increase FSH, reduce testosterone), and improving blood lipids (reduce TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased HDL-C).

Supplementing post-wash asthenozoospermic human spermatozoa with coenzyme Q10 for 1 hr in vitro improves sperm motility, but not oxidative stress

We investigated the effect of supplementing post-wash asthenozoospermic spermatozoa with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in vitro, which may reduce oxidative stress and improve sperm motility. Semen samples were collected from 39 men with asthenozoospermia, and their spermatozoa were isolated by two-layer Percoll density-gradient centrifugation. Kinetic parameters of the isolated spermatozoa (baseline before intervention) were determined immediately by computer-aided semen analysis. Total anti-oxidant capacity and protein carbonyl levels, as markers of oxidative stress, were also measured in the baseline spermatozoa. The baseline spermatozoa suspension was divided equally into two portions, one for CoQ10 supplementation (50 µg/ml for 1 hr) and the other as an un-supplemented vehicle control. The total motility of the CoQ10-supplemented spermatozoa was significantly higher than in the control (p = .009) and progressive motility tended to be higher (p = .053). Immotile sperm concentration in the CoQ10-supplemented spermatozoa was significantly lower than in both the baseline (p = .026) and control (p = .009). Total anti-oxidant capacity and protein carbonyl levels between the baseline, CoQ10-supplemented and control spermatozoa were not significantly different. Our data suggest that CoQ10 treatment reactivated sperm motility. We propose short-term supplementation of post-wash asthenozoospermic spermatozoa with CoQ10 before intrauterine insemination.

Recent Developments in the Role of Coenzyme Q10 for Coronary Heart Disease: a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review examines recent randomized clinical trials evaluating the role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the management of coronary heart disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

CoQ10 is one of the most commonly used dietary supplements in the USA. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, CoQ10 has been studied extensively for possible use in managing coronary heart disease. One of the most common applications of CoQ10 is to mitigate statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) based on the theory that SAMS are caused by statin depletion of CoQ10 in the muscle. Although previous studies of CoQ10 for SAMS have produced mixed results, CoQ10 appears to be safe. Because CoQ10 is a cofactor in the generation of adenosine triphosphate, supplementation has also recently been studied in patients with heart failure, which is inherently an energy deprived state. The Q-SYMBIO trial found that CoQ10 supplementation in patients with heart failure not only improved functional capacity, but also significantly reduced cardiovascular events and mortality. Despite these positive findings, a larger prospective trial is warranted to support routine use of CoQ10. Less impressive are the effects of CoQ10 on specific cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and glycemic control. Current evidence does not support routine use of CoQ10 in patients with coronary heart disease. Additional studies are warranted to fully determine the benefit of CoQ10 in patients with heart failure before including it in guideline-directed medical therapy.