Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of coenzyme Q (Q) on ob/ob mice treated or not with thiazolidinedione (TZD).
Design and measurements: Ob/ob mice were treated with Q, Rosiglitazone or a combination of both molecules for 13 days; physical and metabolic parameters as well as oral glucose tolerance test were assessed. mRNA expression of genes of energy dissipation and storage were measured by real-time PCR.
Results: Q treatment improved some metabolic parameters in ob/ob mice. Surprisingly, cotreatment with Rosiglitazone and Q improved metabolic parameters and prevented TZD increase in body weight and adiposity, mainly by increasing lipid oxidation in adipose tissue, reducing lipid synthesis and balancing adipokine gene expression.
Conclusions: Our finding suggests that Rosiglitazone and coenzyme Q bitherapy could prevent the body weight gain associated with adipogenesis and could improve the clinical use of these compounds.