Objective: This research was conducted to assess the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) intake on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 40 subjects diagnosed with PCOS. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 100 mg CoQ10 (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) per day for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation were quantified in blood samples of PCOS women with RT-PCR method.
Results: Results of RT-PCR shown that compared with the placebo, CoQ10 intake downregulated gene expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LDLR) (p < 0.001) and upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (p = 0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. In addition, compared to the placebo group, CoQ10 supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (p = 0.03), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p = 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0.001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS.
Conclusions: Overall, CoQ10 intake for 12 weeks in PCOS women significantly improved gene expression of LDLR, PPAR-γ, IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α.
Keywords: Q10; gene expression; inflammation; insulin; lipid; polycystic ovary syndrome.