Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Markers of Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background/ObjectiveChronic inflammation contributes to the onset and development of metabolic diseases. Clinical evidence has suggested that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has some effects on inflammatory markers. However, these results are equivocal. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of CoQ10 on serum levels of inflammatory markers in people with metabolic diseases.MethodsElectronic databases were searched up to February 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The outcome parameters were related to inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C reactive protein (CRP). RevMan software was used for meta-analysis. Meta-regression analysis, Egger line regression test and Begg rank correlation test were performed by STATA software.ResultsNine trials involving 428 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that compared with control group, CoQ10 supplementation has significantly improved the serum level of CoQ10 by 1.17μg/ml [MD = 1.17, 95% CI (0.47 to 1.87) μg/ml, I2 = 94%]. Meanwhile, it has significantly decreased TNF-α by 0.45 pg/ml [MD = -0.45, 95% CI (-0.67 to -0.24) pg/ml, I2 = 0%]. No significant difference was observed between CoQ10 and placebo with regard to CRP [MD = -0.21, 95% CI (-0.60 to 0.17) mg/L, I2 = 21%] and IL-6 [MD = -0.89, 95% CI (-1.95 to 0.16) pg/ml, I2 = 84%].ConclusionsCoQ10 supplementation may partly improve the process of inflammatory state. The effects of CoQ10 on inflammation should be further investigated by conducting larger sample size and well-defined trials of long enough duration.

Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…A recent meta-analysis of nine RCTs and 509 patients showed that the CoQ 10 supplementation in chronic inflammatory diseases (60-500 mg/day for 8-12 weeks) is responsible for the significant reduction in the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (SMD: −0.44, 95% CI: (−0.81 to −0.07) mg/dl; I 2 = 66.1%, p < 0.01) and in IL-6 levels (SMD: −0.37, 95% CI: (−0.65 to −0.09), p = 0.01) [75]. Similar results were obtained by the metanalysis of Fan et al that demonstrated a reduction of the C-reactive protein levels in addition to the abovementioned parameters in patients afflicted by inflammatory diseases [76]; in elderly people with low CoQ 10 levels; and in patients with metabolic diseases characterized by chronic, low grade inflammation [17]. However, the results are conflicting while not so evident in patients affected by metabolic syndrome [41] and dyslipidemia [29].…”

“…Therefore, it is not surprising that its depletion is associated with a greater propensity to develop immune inflammatory responses through the activation of inflammatory processes such as the nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell's (NF-κB) gene expression [16]. Worthy to note, CoQ 10 is endowed with potent antioxidant action able to prevent free radical damage by the regulation of transcriptional pathways in addition to deactivation of inflammatory pathways [17]. Therefore, supplementation with CoQ 10 could be efficient in the prevention and/or treatment of a number of pathogenic disorders in relation to the significant reduction of inflammatory markers [18].…”

The effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

“…Several systematic reviews and meta‐analyses showed the protective effects of this supplement on the inflammatory markers (Fan et al, 2017; Mazidi, Kengne, Banach, Lipid, & Group, 2018; Zhai, Bo, Lu, Liu, & Zhang, 2017), glycemic indices (Stojanović & Radenković, 2017; Suksomboon, Poolsup, & Juanak, 2015), lipid profiles (Jorat et al, 2018; Sahebkar, Simental‐Mendía, Stefanutti, & Pirro, 2016), and blood pressure (Rosenfeldt et al, 2007). Similar to our findings, these studies attributed the beneficial effects of CoQ10 to its antioxidant effect.…”

CoQ10-related sustained remission of proteinuria in a child with COQ6 glomerulopathy—a case report

“…Improvement of oral cavity health could probably be an effect of the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative action of coenzyme Q. Some data show that conditions associated with chronic inflammation of low grade respond well to CoQ, with a significant decrease in TNFα plasma levels without having an effect on CRP and Il-6 production [13]. There is some evidence that oral diseases, i.e., dental carries, are also associated with oxidative stress [14].…”