The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

This research was conducted to assess the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) intake on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 40 subjects diagnosed with PCOS. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 100 mg CoQ10 (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) per day for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation were quantified in blood samples of PCOS women with RT-PCR method.

RESULTS

Results of RT-PCR shown that compared with the placebo, CoQ10 intake downregulated gene expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LDLR) (p < 0.001) and upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (p = 0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. In addition, compared to the placebo group, CoQ10 supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (p = 0.03), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p = 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0.001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, CoQ10 intake for 12 weeks in PCOS women significantly improved gene expression of LDLR, PPAR-γ, IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α.