Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Diabetes Biomarkers: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antioxidants #biomarkers #blood-glucose #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #glycated-hemoglobin

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Diabetes Biomarkers: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Moradi et al., 2016 | Arch Iran Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Moradi Maedeh, Haghighatdoost Fahimeh, ... Azadbakht Leila. Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Diabetes Biomarkers: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Arch Iran Med. 2016-Aug;19(8):588-96

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the effect of Co-Q10 on diabetes biomarkers, but findings are inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was conducted to summarize the effect of Co-Q10 supplementation on diabetes biomarkers. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Science direct, ISI web of science, and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials from 1989 until March 2016. We included randomized controlled trials reporting fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin and HbA1c. In total, we found 16 articles that examined the effect of Co-Q10 on fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and HbA1c. Mean ± standard deviations (SD) of defined outcomes were used for calculating standardized mean differences (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) between intervention and control treatments based on Hedges' estimator. RESULTS: Our preliminary meta-analysis on 14 eligible studies regarding the effect of Co-Q10 supplementation on FBG indicated a slightly significant decrement (SMD:-0.28 mg/d; 95% CI: -0.12, 0.04), with a substantial between-study heterogeneity (Cochrane Q test, I2 = 93.9%, P < 0.0001). After removal of three studies, heterogeneity was eliminated and a slightly significant decrease was found in FBG (SMD: -0.20 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.38, -0.02). The effect of Co-Q10 on HbA1c and fasting insulin was not significant. SMDs for the effect of Co-Q10 on HbA1c and fasting insulin were -0.05% (95% CI: -0.22, 0.12) and 0.12 pmol/L (95% CI: -0.21, 0.44), respectively. CONCLUSION: Co-Q10 supplementation slightly but significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, but not fasting insulin and HbA1c. More long-term studies are necessary to examine the association between Co-Q10 supplementation and diabetes biomarkers. This study was funded by the School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Key Findings

Our preliminary meta-analysis on 14 eligible studies regarding the effect of Co-Q10 supplementation on FBG indicated a slightly significant decrement (SMD:-0.28 mg/d; 95% CI: -0.12, 0.04), with a substantial between-study heterogeneity (Cochrane Q test, I2 = 93.9%, P < 0.0001). After removal of three studies, heterogeneity was eliminated and a slightly significant decrease was found in FBG (SMD: -0.20 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.38, -0.02). The effect of Co-Q10 on HbA1c and fasting insulin was not signifi

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Ubiquinone

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: coq10

Provenance

  • PMID: 27544369
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09