Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Lipid, Glycemic, and Inflammatory Markers in Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

The rising prevalence of metabolic disorders characterized by dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism has increased interest in effective nutritional supplements. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on lipid profile, glycemic control, and inflammatory markers.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Random-effects models were applied to pool weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 64 RCTs (3422 participants) were included. Lipid profile: CoQ10 supplementation significantly improved blood triglyceride (TG, WMD = -5.67 mg/dL; 95% CI: -10.57, -0.77; p = 0.023), total cholesterol (TC, WMD = -4.86 mg/dL; 95% CI: -8.41, -1.30; p = 0.007), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, WMD = 1.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.22, 1.92; p = 0.013), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, WMD = -3.98 mg/dL; 95% CI: -7.00, -0.97; p = 0.010). Glycemic control: CoQ10 significantly reduced hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c, WMD = -0.22%; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.06; p = 0.006), fasting glucose (WMD = -10.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.75, -5.39; p < 0.001), fasting insulin (FINS, WMD = -2.94 μIU/mL; 95% CI: -4.63, -1.25; p = 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, WMD = -0.82; 95% CI: -1.36, -0.28; p = 0.003). Inflammatory markers: CoQ10 significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP, WMD = -0.44 mg/L; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.09; p = 0.013), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, SMD = -1.01; 95% CI: -1.56, -0.64; p = 0.013), and interleukin-6 (IL-6, SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.05; p = 0.027) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

CoQ10 supplementation has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, glycemic control, and inflammation among individuals with metabolic disorders.