Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Lipid, Glycemic, and Inflammatory Markers in Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of metabolic disorders characterized by dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism has increased interest in effective nutritional supplements. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on lipid profile, glycemic control, and inflammatory markers. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Random-effects models were applied to pool weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 64 RCTs (3422 participants) were included. Lipid profile: CoQ10 supplementation significantly improved blood triglyceride (TG, WMD = -5.67 mg/dL; 95% CI: -10.57, -0.77; p = 0.023), total cholesterol (TC, WMD = -4.86 mg/dL; 95% CI: -8.41, -1.30; p = 0.007), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, WMD = 1.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.22, 1.92; p = 0.013), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, WMD = -3.98 mg/dL; 95% CI: -7.00, -0.97; p = 0.010). Glycemic control: CoQ10 significantly reduced hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c, WMD = -0.22%; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.06; p = 0.006), fasting glucose (WMD = -10.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.75, -5.39; p < 0.001), fasting insulin (FINS, WMD = -2.94 μIU/mL; 95% CI: -4.63, -1.25; p = 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, WMD = -0.82; 95% CI: -1.36, -0.28; p = 0.003). Inflammatory markers: CoQ10 significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP, WMD = -0.44 mg/L; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.09; p = 0.013), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, SMD = -1.01; 95% CI: -1.56, -0.64; p = 0.013), and interleukin-6 (IL-6, SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.05; p = 0.027) levels. CONCLUSIONS: CoQ10 supplementation has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, glycemic control, and inflammation among individuals with metabolic disorders.