Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Background: High oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous lipid-soluble antioxidant. Statins therapy can reduce the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a coenzyme Q10 supplement (300 mg/d; 150 mg/b.i.d) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.

Methods: Patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery and who were treated with statins for at least one month were enrolled in this study. The subjects (n = 51) were randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and coenzyme Q10 groups (Q10-300 group, n = 27). The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The concentrations of coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were measured in the 42 subjects (placebo, n = 19; Q10-300, n = 23) who completed the study.

Results: The levels of the plasma coenzyme Q10 (P < 0.001) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) were significantly higher after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, P = 0.039) were significantly lower after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The subjects in the Q10-300 group had significantly higher vitamin E (P = 0.043) and the antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) than the placebo group at week 12. The level of plasma coenzyme Q10 was significantly positively correlated with vitamin E (P = 0.008) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with TNF-α (P = 0.034) and IL-6 (P = 0.027) after coenzyme Q10 supplementation.

Conclusion: Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 300 mg/d significantly enhances antioxidant enzymes activities and lowers inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01424761.

Figures

Figure 1

Flow diagram. Q10-300, coenzyme Q10 300 mg/d.

Figure 2

Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E concentrations. Data are means ± SD. □ week 0, ■ week 12. *Values were significantly different after intervention within the group (***P < 0.001). †Values were significantly different between the placebo and Q10-300 groups (†P < 0.05, †††P < 0.001). TC, total cholesterol.

Figure 3

Antioxidant enzymes activities. Data are means ± SD. □ week 0, ■ week 12. *Values were significantly different after intervention within the group (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01). †Values were significantly different between the placebo and Q10-300 groups (†P < 0.05, ††P < 0.01). CAT, catalase; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; SOD, superoxide dismutase.

Figure 4

The level of inflammatory markers. Data are means ± SD. □ week 0, ■ week 12. †Values were significantly different between the placebo and Q10-300 groups (†P < 0.05). CRP, C-reactive protein; IL-6, interleukin-6; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.