CoQ10 and vitamin E supplementation had beneficial effects on serum FBS and insulin levels as well as HOMA-IR and total testosterone levels. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive age women. No study has examined the hormonal and metabolic effects of coenzyme Q10 and/or vitamin E in patients with PCOS.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 and/or vitamin E on glucose homeostasis parameters and reproductive hormones in women with PCOS.

Design/Setting/Participants: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial among 86 women with PCOS.

Intervention: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or vitamin E or combination for 8 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures: Glucose homeostasis parameters and sex hormones concentrations.

Results: We observed that, after adjustment for potential confounders, supplementation with CoQ10 alone or in combination with vitamin E, compared with placebo, had significant effects on fasting blood sugar (FBS), while the effect of vitamin E on FBS was not statistically significant. A significant reduction in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was observed in the CoQ10 and combined groups. CoQ10, vitamin E and Co-supplementation compared with the placebo group, led to decreased serum total testosterone levels (P<0.001). CoQ10 supplementation in combination with vitamin E resulted in a significant improvement in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) compared to other groups (P=0.008). Findings from linear regression analysis revealed that changes in FBS, insulin, and HOMA-IR were predictors of change in FAI (P<0.05).

Conclusions: In conclusion, CoQ10 with or without vitamin E supplementation among women with PCOS had beneficial effects on serum FBS and insulin levels as well as HOMA-IR and total testosterone levels. However only co-supplementation was able to affect SHBG concentrations.