Ubiquinol Ameliorates Endothelial Dysfunction in Subjects with Mild-to-Moderate Dyslipidemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

In this randomized, double-blind, single-center trial (ANZCTR number ACTRN12619000436178) we aimed to investigate changes in endothelium-dependent vasodilation induced by ubiquinol, the reduced form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), in healthy subjects with moderate dyslipidemia. Fifty-one subjects with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of 130-200 mg/dL, not taking statins or other lipid lowering treatments, moderate (2.5%-6.0%) endothelial dysfunction as measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and no clinical signs of cardiovascular disease were randomized to receive either ubiquinol (200 or 100 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the effect of ubiquinol supplementation on FMD at the end of the study. Secondary outcomes included changes in FMD on week 4, changes in total and oxidized plasma CoQ10 on week 4 and week 8, and changes in serum nitrate and nitrite levels (NOx), and plasma LDL susceptibility to oxidation in vitro on week 8. Analysis of the data of the 48 participants who completed the study demonstrated a significantly increased FMD in both treated groups compared with the placebo group (200 mg/day, +1.28% ± 0.90%; 100 mg/day, +1.34% ± 1.44%; p < 0.001) and a marked increase in plasma CoQ10, either total (p < 0.001) and reduced (p < 0.001). Serum NOx increased significantly and dose-dependently in all treated subjects (p = 0.016), while LDL oxidation lag time improved significantly in those receiving 200 mg/day (p = 0.017). Ubiquinol significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia-related endothelial dysfunction. This effect was strongly related to increased nitric oxide bioavailability and was partly mediated by enhanced LDL antioxidant protection.

Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Health and Disease: An Update on the Last 10 Years (2010–2020)

“…Raitakari et al [ 57 ] showed that 150 mg/day of CoQ for 4 weeks did not significantly increase the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (4.3% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.99) in healthy hypercholesterolemic subjects. Conversely, our recent study highlighted the protective effect of ubiquinol towards endothelial function in subjects with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia and with no other evidence of disease [ 58 ]. In this randomized, double-blind study, 51 subjects with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia and no clinical signs of CVD were randomized to receive either ubiquinol (200 mg or 100 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks.…”

Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improves Renal Function in Elderly Deficient in Selenium: Observational Results and Results from a Subgroup Analysis of a Prospective Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Positive effects of intervention with ubiquinol on the endothelial function in individuals with dyslipidaemia have also been reported [ 27 ]. In septic rats, improved organ and vessel function have been reported as a result of supplementation with coenzyme Q 10 [ 28 ].…”

The Use of Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…The effect of ubiquinol in ameliorating dyslipidemia-related endothelial dysfunction, determined by FMD, was confirmed in another independent randomized clinical trial, which concluded that this effect was strongly related to enhancing NO bioavailability and partly mediated by increased LDL antioxidant protection [ 42 ].…”