Coenzyme Q10 reduced blood glucose and intracellular inflammation in an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic parameters including fasting plasma glucose, insulin sensitivity, and intracellular inflammation in db/db mice, a diabetic animal model.Materials and Methods: Mice were divided into 3 groups: normal control mice with chow diet (n=6), db/db mice with high-fat diet (n=9), and db/db mice with high-fat diet and coenzyme Q10 administration (20 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks (n=9). After 12 weeks, metabolic parameters including fasting blood glucose concentrations, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), insulin and lipid profiles were determined using high-performed liquid chromatography. The expression of mitochondrial biogenesis markers including PGC-1α and T-fam were measured in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Similarly, inflammatory markers such as IL-6, COX-2, and CRP were measured in liver tissues.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, the glucose index including fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1C, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly decreased in coenzyme Q10-treated db/db mice compared with untreated control db/db mice. Compared with normal controls, the expressions of proteins related to mitochondrial biogenesis such as PGC-1α and T-fam were higher in db/db control mice, whereas the expressions of these proteins were significantly decreased in db/db mice treated with coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 treated db/db mice exhibited a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of IL-6, COX-2, and CRP compared with normal control and db/db control mice. We calculated inflammatory scores by summing the mRNA levels of IL-6, COX-2, and CRP, and found that while scores were significantly increased in untreated db/db control mice, they tended to decrease in coenzyme Q10-treated db/db mice.Conclusion: We observed significant decreases in fasting blood glucose levels and insulin resistance associated with significant reductions in inflammatory markers in coenzyme Q10 treated db/db mice.