Effects of coenzyme Q₁₀ on arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, and fatigue in obese subjects: A double-blind randomized controlled study

This study investigated the effects of coenzyme Q₁₀ supplementation on metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, arterial stiffness, and fatigue in obese subjects. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center study on 51 obese subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25kg/m². Subjects were randomized into either a coenzyme Q₁₀ (200mg/day) group (n=26, BMI=27.9±2. 3kg/m², age=42.7±11.3 years) or a placebo group (n=25, BMI=26.8±2.8kg/m², age=41.3±11.2 years) for a 12-week study. We collected anthropometric measurements, blood for laboratory testing, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as an indicator of arterial stiffness, and responses to a fatigue severity scale (FSS) questionnaire at the initial (0 week) and final (12 weeks) visits. A total of 36 subjects successfully completed the study protocol. Serum coenzyme Q₁₀ levels increased significantly from 0.65±0.27μg/mL to 1.20±0.38μg/ mL in the coenzyme Q₁₀ group (P<.001). Oral administration of coenzyme Q₁₀ did not significantly affect lipid profiles, oxidative and inflammatory markers [including lipoprotein (a), oxidized low-density lipoprotein level, C-reactive protein, and white blood cell count], or baPWV. The mean FSS score decreased significantly from 40.1 to 33.1 in the coenzyme Q₁₀ group (P=.017), but no significant change was seen in the placebo group (P=.464). However, the extents of the change in mean FSS score between the placebo and coenzyme Q₁₀ groups were not significantly different (P=.287). In conclusion, we found no evidence that coenzyme Q₁₀ affects fatigue index, arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, or inflammatory markers.