Effect of Coenzyme Q₁₀ on Insulin Resistance in Korean Patients with Prediabetes: A Pilot Single-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to examine whether administration of coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, improves insulin resistance in patients with prediabetes. The study design was a pilot single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Methods This pilot single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included a total of 80 adults (aged ≥20 years) with impaired glucose tolerance. After the initial screening visit, subjects were assigned to either the experimental (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) group via simple randomization. Insulin resistance was represented as the insulin resistance index estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Results After the 8-week treatment period, the coenzyme group exhibited a significant decrease in the HOMA-IR (P < .001). The free oxygen radical and coenzyme Q10 concentrations were found to correlate significantly (P < .001). However, no significant changes in fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin levels were observed in either group. Additionally, no adverse events occurred in either group. Conclusion Patients with prediabetes who were administered coenzyme Q10 showed a significant reduction in HOMA-IR values. Therefore, administration of coenzyme Q10 in patients with impaired glucose tolerance may slow the progression from prediabetes to overt diabetes.

In Silico Metabolic Modeling Reveals Muscle Metabolite Markers of Insulin Resistance In Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Patients

“…Pieces of evidence have revealed that supplementations of coenzyme Q10 in T2DM patients, preserve mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and improve glucose tolerance [14,15]. In addition, the administration of coenzyme Q10 in patients with prediabetes has alleviated the progression from prediabetes to diabetes [16]. Therefore, this metabolite should receive more attention in the treatment of diabetes.…”

The Paradox of Coenzyme Q10 in Aging

“…Studies in rodents [153,154,155,156,157] suggest that CoQ 10 administration is able to increase the amounts of CoQ 10 in plasma and liver significantly, and in heart, kidney and skeletal muscle moderately. Similarly, different authors have reported increased systemic levels of CoQ 10 in humans after supplementing with CoQ 10 at different daily doses (100 to 2400 mg) and duration (20 days, 3 or even 16 months) in multiple trials [158,159,160,161,162]. Regarding the safety of CoQ 10 supplements, different assessments in human and animals (reviewed by Hidaka et al [163]) concluded that the endogenous biosynthesis of CoQ 10 is not influenced by exogenous inputs.…”

“…The modification of CoQ 10 levels in different tissues as a consequence of increasing dietary CoQ 10 intake would be on the basis of the improvement in conditions related to aging observed in both humans and animals. These include obesity and metabolic disorders [158,189,190,191,192], cardiovascular diseases [193,194] or skin aging by exposure to sun radiation. In this sense, dietary CoQ 10 has been able to reduce insulin resistance (IR) in adults with prediabetes [158], as well as overweight and obese patients with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) [190]—notwithstanding that data confirming the effect of CoQ 10 treatment on blood levels were only provided in the first case.…”

Modern Aspects of the Clinic, Diagnosis and Treatment of Prediabetes

“…Таким образом, добавка FFE является многообещающим вмешательством для коррекции постпрандиального уровня глюкозы и гомеостаза инсулина и является возможным дополнительным лечением при хронических нарушениях обмена веществ, таких как предиабет [77]. Ещё одно исследование включало пациентов с предиабетом, которым вводили коэнзим Q10, показало значительное снижение значений индекса инсулинорезистентности HOMA-IR, на основании чего сделано предположение, что введение коэнзима Q10 пациентам с НТГ может замедлить прогрессирование от предиабета до явного диабета [78]. Таким образом, предиабет, особенно у лиц молодого и среднего возраста, является важной медико-социальной проблемой.…”