Effects of Coenzyme Q<inf>10</inf> Supplementation on Inflammatory Cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and Oxidative Stress in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines is a main trait of
rheumatoid arthritis. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an endogenous antioxidant, has shown antiinflammatory
effects in some diseases. In this study we aimed to assess the effects of
CoQ10 supplementation on cytokines generation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid
arthritis.
Methods. In this double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, 44 patients with rheumatoid
arthritis were recruited. Twenty two patients received 100 mg/day capsules of
CoQ10 and 22 patients took placebo for 2 months. At the beginning and the end of the
intervention, 7 mL of fasting blood was taken from patients to measure malondialdehyde
(MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor
alpha (TNF-a).
Results. At the end of the study, serum MDA significantly decreased in supplemented
group (mean difference 5 �1.47 nmol/mL; 95% confidence interval (CI), �2.52 to
�0.43; p 5 0.008). CoQ10 also suppressed overexpression of TNF-a (difference in median
was þ1.1 in placebo vs. þ0.03 in CoQ10 group; p 5 0.033). There was no significant
difference in TAC and IL-6 levels between groups.
Conclusions. This study showed beneficial effects of CoQ10 supplementation on inflammatory
cytokines and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis patients. � 2015 IMSS.
Published by Elsevier Inc.