Coenzyme Q10 supplementation downregulates the increase of monocytes expressing toll-like receptor 4 in response to 6-day intensive training in kendo athletes

Abstract

This study examined changes in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4)-expressing monocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations in response to continuous intensive exercise training in athletes, as well as the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on these changes. Eighteen male elite kendo athletes in Japan were randomly assigned to a CoQ10-supplementation group (n = 9) or a placebo-supplementation group (n = 9) using a double-blind method. Subjects in the CoQ10 group took 300 mg CoQ10 per day for 20 days. Subjects in the placebo group took the same dosage of placebo. All subjects practiced kendo 5.5 h per day for 6 consecutive days during the study period. Blood samples were collected 2 weeks before training, on the first day (day 1), third day (day 3), and fifth day of training (day 5), and 1 week after the training period (post-training) to ascertain TLR-4(+)/CD14(+) monocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD28(+)/CD4(+), CD28(+)/CD8(+), and CD56(+)/CD3(-) cells) using flow cytometry analysis. The group × time interaction for TLR-4(+)/CD14(+) cells did not reach significance (p = 0.08). Within the CoQ10 group, the absolute number of TLR-4(+)/CD14(+) cells was significantly higher only at day 5. The placebo group showed a significant increase in the absolute number of TLR-4(+)/CD14(+) cells at day 3, day 5, and post-training (p < 0.05). There was no significant group × time interaction for any lymphocyte subpopulation. CD3(+), CD8(+), and CD56(+)/CD3(-) cells were significantly reduced at day 3 in both groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, CoQ10 supplementation might downregulate the increase of TLR-4-expressing monocytes in response to continuous strenuous exercise training in kendo athletes.

Pretreatment with Coenzyme Q10 Combined with Aescin Protects against Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury

“…Herein, pretreatment with CoQ10 combined with AES significantly reduced the expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB-p65 compared to each drug used alone. Our results are in line with previous reports [Rimmon et al, 2013;Cheng et al, 2015;Shimizu et al, 2015]. This superior effect of the combination therapy indicates that CoQ10 and AES worked together to block the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and consequently decreased the activation of NLRP-3 inflammasome and pyroptosis.…”

Effect of Dietary Coenzyme Q10 Plus NADH Supplementation on Fatigue Perception and Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Over the last decade, a growing body of data has supported the potential clinical use of dietary CoQ10 supplementation in health and chronic illnesses [ 13 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications beyond Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Recently, a double-blind 2-weeks long clinical trial carried out on 18 male elite kendo athletes demonstrated that 300 mg/day of CoQ 10 contributed to down-regulate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), considered as an event downstream the ROS production and responsible for immune system regulation. Therefore, in athletes undergoing intensive exercise, continuous CoQ 10 supplementation is recommended 14 weeks before starting the training in order to inhibit exercise-induced inflammation and immune deficiency [ 64 ].…”