Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Glycemic Control Biomarkers: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses of Randomised Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND

Several meta-analyses suggest that Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation is associated with glycemic control; however, findings about fasting blood glucose (FBG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) remain inconsistent across studies. Accordingly, this study aimed to synthesise the results to present a firm conclusion in relation to the efficacy of CoQ10 on glycemic control.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted to find meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception to March 6, 2025. Also, the methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the AMSTAR2 tool.

RESULTS

In total, eight meta-analyses were included in this umbrella systematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled analysis using standardized mean difference analysis demonstrated that CoQ10 is associated with decreased FBG. While it didn't exert any significant changes on the HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and insulin levels. In addition, the combined effect of CoQ10 using weighted mean difference analysis revealed that CoQ10 is able to decrease the FBG (5.04 mg/dL), HbA1c (0.17%), HOMA-IR (0.72), and insulin (1.32 μIU/mL) levels significantly.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that CoQ10 supplementation may have a moderate beneficial effect on glycemic control in diabetic patients, though findings differ depending on analytic approach.