The effect of coenzyme Q10 intake on metabolic profiles in women candidates for in-vitro fertilization: a randomised trial

Abstract

Objective:Infertility and the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are both influenced by insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Presumably, adding coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to these patients' diets will be beneficial. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on metabolic profiles in women candidates for in-vitro fertilization (IVF).Trial design and methods:For this randomized, double-blinded, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical experiment, 40 PCOS-positive infertile women who were IVF candidates were included. They ranged in age from 18 to 40. The 20 participants in the two intervention groups received either CoQ10 or a placebo for 8 weeks. The expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), as well as metabolic profiles such as insulin metabolism and lipid profiles were evaluated. Quantitative RT-PCR determined the expression of GLUT-1, PPAR-gamma, and LDLR on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Lipid profiles and fasting glucose were assessed using enzymatic kits, and insulin was determined using Elisa kit.Results:In comparison to the placebo, CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced blood insulin levels (-0.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.7, P=0.01) and insulin resistance (-0.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.1 +/- 0.2, P=0.01), and increased PPAR-gamma expression (P=0.01). In infertile PCOS patients' candidates for IVF, CoQ10 supplementation showed no appreciable impact on other metabolic profiles. Also, CoQ10 supplementation revealed no significant impact on GLUT-1 (P=0.30), or LDLR (P=0.27) expression. Within-group changes in insulin levels (P=0.01) and insulin resistance (P=0.01) showed a significant elevation in the placebo group. When we adjusted the analysis for baseline BMI, baseline values of variables, and age, our findings were not affected.Conclusions:Eight weeks of CoQ10 supplementation demonstrated positive benefits on PPAR-gamma expression, insulin resistance, and serum insulin in infertile PCOS women candidates for IVF.