Coenzyme Q10 Benefits Symptoms in Gulf War Veterans: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Study

Abstract

We sought to assess whether coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) benefits the chronic multisymptom problems that affect one-quarter to one-third of 1990-1 Gulf War veterans, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants were 46 veterans meeting Kansas and Centers for Disease Control criteria for Gulf War illness. Intervention was PharmaNord (Denmark) CoQ10 100 mg per day (Q100), 300 mg per day (Q300), or an identical-appearing placebo for 3.5 ± 0.5 months. General self-rated health (GSRH), the primary outcome, differed across randomization arms at baseline, and sex significantly predicted GSRH change, compelling adjustment for baseline GSRH and prompting sex-stratified analysis. GSRH showed no significant benefit in the combined-sex sample. Among males (85% of participants), Q100 significantly benefited GSRH versus placebo and versus Q300, providing emphasis on Q100. Physical function (summary performance score, SPS) improved on Q100 versus placebo. A rise in CoQ10 approached significance as a predictor of improvement in GSRH and significantly predicted SPS improvement. Among 20 symptoms each present in half or more of the enrolled veterans, direction-of-difference on Q100 versus placebo was favorable for all except sleep problems; sign test 19:1, p=0.00004) with several symptoms individually significant. Significance for these symptoms despite the small sample underscores large effect sizes, and an apparent relation of key outcomes to CoQ10 change increases prospects for causality. In conclusion, Q100 conferred benefit to physical function and symptoms in veterans with Gulf War illness. Examination in a larger sample is warranted, and findings from this study can inform the conduct of a larger trial.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 plus nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide supplementation on maximum heart rate after exercise testing in chronic fatigue syndrome – A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial

“…The lack of any effect on pain was an unexpected result. Although pain response in CFS patients has not been previously analyzed, a possible effect of CoQ 10 or NADH on pain perception has been suggested in other pathologies such as fibromyalgia [31]. In view of the study's design, any description of the mechanisms underlying the results would be purely speculative and would need to be confirmed in future studies.…”

“…Dysfunctions in these two coenzymes have also been associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer [29,30]. CoQ 10 and NADH deficiencies have also been described in patients with CFS and fibromyalgia [9,12,31], and it has also been suggested that serum NADH levels are directly correlated with serum CoQ 10 concentration in these patients. Several components of the mitochondrial system require diet replacement and this need can be facilitated with natural nutritional supplements [13].…”

The Effect of Organophosphate Exposure on Neuronal Cell Coenzyme Q10 Status

“…Although, at present there is a paucity of information available on the therapeutic efficacy of CoQ 10 in the treatment of the clinical symptoms associated with OP poisoning in human subjects. However, veterans suffering with Gulf War syndrome, a condition associated with OP poisoning, have been reported to show some clinical improvement following CoQ 10 treatment [30]. The factors responsible for biochemical and clinical efficacy of CoQ 10 in the treatment of OP toxicity have yet to be elucidated.…”

Assessing the Beneficial Effects of the Immunomodulatory Glycan LNFPIII on Gut Microbiota and Health in a Mouse Model of Gulf War Illness

“…Cure-all treatments for GWI do not currently exist due, in part, to GWI’s complexity; however, experimental therapeutic interventions have provided benefits to some GWI symptoms [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Current treatments for GI disorders in general, include altering diet and/or lifestyle, probiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplants; some have been beneficial to patients with neurological disorders including PD, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease [ 37 , 38 ].…”