Coenzyme Q₁₀,α-Tocopherol, and Oxidative Stress Could Be Important Metabolic Biomarkers of Male Infertility

Abstract

Oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant capacity, and impaired sperm mitochondrial function are the main factors contributing to male infertility. The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of the per os treatment with Carni-Q-Nol (440 mg L-carnitine fumarate + 30 mg ubiquinol + 75 IU vitamin E + 12 mg vitamin C in each softsule) in infertile men on sperm parameters, concentration of antioxidants (coenzyme Q10, CoQ10-TOTAL, γ, and α-tocopherols), and oxidative stress in blood plasma and seminal fluid. Forty infertile men were supplemented daily with two or three Carni-Q-Nol softsules. After 3 and 6 months of treatment, improved sperm density was observed (by 48.9% and 80.9%, resp.) and after 3-month treatment the sperm pathology decreased by 25.8%. Concentrations of CoQ10-TOTAL (ubiquinone + ubiquinol) and α-tocopherol were significantly increased and the oxidative stress was decreased. In conclusion, the effect of supplementary therapy with Carni-Q-Nol showed benefits on sperm function in men, resulting in 45% pregnancies of their women. We assume that assessment of oxidative stress, CoQ10-TOTAL, and α-tocopherol in blood plasma and seminal fluid could be important metabolic biomarkers in both diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Role of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Male Infertility

“…It may be due to their uptake by VDAC of the outer mitochondrial membrane, along with the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPTI) in outer mitochondrial membrane. However, further studies are required to support this hypothesis [17].…”

“…Apart from improving sperm parameters, the supplementary therapy with Carni-Q-Nol resulted in a 45% pregnancy rate [17].…”

“…CoQ10 regulates the mitochondrial electron transport in the respiratory chain, receiving electrons from complex I and complex II and passing them to complex III, and it transfers protons from fatty acids to the matrix. It also regulates the permeability transition pore opening and nutrition uptake through the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) of the outer mitochondrial membrane [17].…”

“…The lower dosage used is 90mg/day for a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 9 months, but positive effects on sperm parameters have been obtained also by higher dosages (e.g., 100mg/day for three menses, 200mg for six months, etc.). The highest dosage reported is 300mg twice a day for twelve months [17].…”

“…Ubiquinol sperm concentration strongly correlates with sperm count, motility, and morphology. In addition, Q10-total concentration directly correlates with sperm motility [17]. Ubiquinol is administered orally at a dosage of 150 to 200mg daily, for at least four months.…”