Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Lee BJ, Tseng YF, Yen CH, Lin PT.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
High oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous lipid-soluble antioxidant. Statins therapy can reduce the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a coenzyme Q10 supplement (300 mg/d; 150 mg/b.i.d) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.
METHODS:
Patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery and who were treated with statins for at least one month were enrolled in this study. The subjects (n = 51) were randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and coenzyme Q10 groups (Q10-300 group, n = 27). The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The concentrations of coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were measured in the 42 subjects (placebo, n = 19; Q10-300, n = 23) who completed the study.
RESULTS:
The levels of the plasma coenzyme Q10 (P < 0.001) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) were significantly higher after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, P = 0.039) were significantly lower after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The subjects in the Q10-300 group had significantly higher vitamin E (P = 0.043) and the antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) than the placebo group at week 12. The level of plasma coenzyme Q10 was significantly positively correlated with vitamin E (P = 0.008) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with TNF-alpha (P = 0.034) and IL-6 (P = 0.027) after coenzyme Q10 supplementation.
CONCLUSION:
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 300 mg/d significantly enhances antioxidant enzymes activities and lowers inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01424761.
PubMed Reference:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24192015
Full Text:  http://www.nutritionj.com/content/pdf/1475-2891-12-142.pdf