Effects of coenzyme Q10 on arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, and fatigue in obese subjects: a double-blind randomized controlled study

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of coenzyme Q(10) supplementation on metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, arterial stiffness, and fatigue in obese subjects. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center study on 51 obese subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m(2). Subjects were randomized into either a coenzyme Q(10) (200 mg/day) group (n = 26, BMI = 27.9 ± 2.3 kg/m(2), age = 42.7 ± 11.3 years) or a placebo group (n = 25, BMI = 26.8 ± 2.8 kg/m(2), age = 41.3 ± 11.2 years) for a 12-week study. We collected anthropometric measurements, blood for laboratory testing, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as an indicator of arterial stiffness, and responses to a fatigue severity scale (FSS) questionnaire at the initial (0 week) and final (12 weeks) visits. A total of 36 subjects successfully completed the study protocol. Serum coenzyme Q(10) levels increased significantly from 0.65 ± 0.27 μg/mL to 1.20 ± 0.38 μg/mL in the coenzyme Q(10) group (P < .001). Oral administration of coenzyme Q(10) did not significantly affect lipid profiles, oxidative and inflammatory markers [including lipoprotein (a), oxidized low-density lipoprotein level, C-reactive protein, and white blood cell count], or baPWV. The mean FSS score decreased significantly from 40.1 to 33.1 in the coenzyme Q(10) group (P = .017), but no significant change was seen in the placebo group (P = .464). However, the extents of the change in mean FSS score between the placebo and coenzyme Q(10) groups were not significantly different (P = .287). In conclusion, we found no evidence that coenzyme Q(10) affects fatigue index, arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, or inflammatory markers.