A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of coenzyme Q 10 therapy in hypertensive patients with the metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background Our aim was to examine the effects of adjunctive coenzyme Q 10 therapy on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in subjects with the metabolic syndrome and inadequate BP control. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week crossover trial, coenzyme Q 10 (100 mg twice daily) or placebo was administrated to 30 subjects with the metabolic syndrome, and inadequate BP control (an average clinic BP of ≥140 systolic mm Hg or 130 mm Hg for patients with type 2 diabetes) while taking an unchanged, conventional antihypertensive regimen. Clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP were assessed pre-and post-treatment phases. The primary outcomes were the changes in 24-h systolic and diastolic BP during adjunctive therapy with coenzyme Q 10 vs. placebo and prespecified secondary outcomes included changes in BP loads. Results Compared with placebo, treatment with coenzyme Q 10 was not associated with statistically significant reductions in systolic (P = 0.60) or diastolic 24-h ambulatory BP (P = 0.12) or heart rate (P = 0.10), although daytime diastolic BP loads, were significantly lower during coenzyme Q 10 administration with thresholds set at >90 mm Hg (P = 0.007) and ≥85 mm Hg (P = 0.03). Coenzyme Q 10 was well tolerated and was not associated with any clinically relevant changes in safety parameters. Conclusions Although it is possible that coenzyme Q 10 may improve BP control under some circumstances, any effects are likely to be smaller than reported in previous meta-analyses. Furthermore, our data suggest that coenzyme Q 10 is not currently indicated as adjunctive antihypertensive treatment for patients with the metabolic syndrome whose BP control is inadequate, despite regular antihypertensive therapy. © 2012 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.