The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glycemic control in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global concern characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a mitochondrial cofactor with antioxidant properties, has been investigated for its potential role in glycemic regulation. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of oral CoQ10 supplementation on glycemic control markers in adults with and without T2DM.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting insulin. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to population type, dosage, and duration of intervention. Study quality and certainty of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool and the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine RCTs were included. CoQ10 supplementation was associated with modest but statistically significant reductions in FBG (-7.33 mg/dL; 95% CI: -10.67 to -3.99), HbA1c (-0.12%; 95% CI: -0.28 to 0.03), and fasting insulin (-0.84 μIU/mL; 95% CI: -1.18 to -0.49) compared to placebo.

CONCLUSION

CoQ10 supplementation may produce small improvements in glycemic markers, especially in individuals with T2DM. However, due to very low certainty of evidence, findings should be interpreted cautiously until confirmed by high-quality studies.