coenzyme-q10 and Diabetic-Retinopathy

Objective To evaluate the effect of ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) and combined antioxidant therapy (CAT) on oxidative stress markers in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) under clinical management. Study design In a randomized, double-blind, phase IIa, placebo-controlled, clinical trial, three study groups were formed and administered medications as follows: Group 1, Coenzyme Q10; Group 2, CAT; and Group 3, placebo. Methods Serum levels of the products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitrites/nitrates, as markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, were measured. As antioxidants, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured. Results Baseline serum levels of LPO and nitrites/nitrates were significantly elevated in the three groups vs. healthy group (P < 0.0001), while final levels in the Coenzyme Q10 and CAT groups were decreased vs. normal levels (P < 0.0001). The baseline TAC was consumed in the three groups (P < 0.0001), while final results in the Coenzyme Q10 and CAT groups improved (P < 0.0001). Baseline catalase activity was increased in all groups vs. normal values (P < 0.001), while final levels in the Coenzyme Q10 (P < 0.001) and CAT groups (P < 0.0001) were decreased. GPx behaved similarly to catalase and improved in the final results (P < 0.0001). Discussion Adjunctive antioxidant treatment for 6 months was effective and safe for improving the oxidative stress in NPDR.

Topics: Antioxidants; Catalase; Diabetic Retinopathy; Double-Blind Method; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Superoxide Dismutase; Ubiquinone

The aim was to evaluate circulating levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in central macular thickness (CMT) in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) after antioxidant supplementation.. A total of 68 patients (68 eyes) with NPDR were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Treated with antioxidant supplement (Group A) and untreated control group (Group B). Each tablet, for oral administration, containing pycnogenol 50 mg, Vitamin E 30 mg and coenzyme Q10 20 mg. CMT and free oxygen radical test (FORT) were analyzed at baseline (T0), 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months in both groups.. In Group A, FORT levels and CMT were significantly reduced over time (P < 0.001 for both). In Group B, FORT levels were increased (P < 0.001) and CMT did not vary significantly (P = 0.81) over 3 time points.. This is the first study showing the reduction of ROS levels in patients with NPDR thanks to antioxidant therapy. Moreover, our findings have suggested also an influence on retinal thickness.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Diabetic Retinopathy; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Flavonoids; Fluorescein Angiography; Follow-Up Studies; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts; Reactive Oxygen Species; Retina; Time Factors; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Ubiquinone; Visual Acuity; Vitamin E; Vitamins

The characteristic clinical features of diabetes mellitus with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 3243(A-G) mutation are progressive insulin secretory defect, neurosensory deafness and maternal inheritance, referred to as maternally inherited diabetes mellitus and deafness (MIDD). A treatment for MIDD to improve insulin secretory defects and reduce deafness has not been established. The effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) treatment on insulin secretory response, hearing capacity and clinical symptoms of MIDD were investigated. 28 MIDD patients (CoQ10-DM), 7 mutant subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 15 mutant subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were treated daily with oral administration of 150 mg of CoQ10 for 3 years. Insulin secretory response, blood lactate after exercise, hearing capacity and other laboratory examinations were investigated every year. In the same way we evaluated 16 MIDD patients (control-DM), 5 mutant IGT and 5 mutant NGT subjects in yearly examinations. The insulin secretory response assessed by glucagon-induced C-peptide secretion and 24 h urinary C-peptide excretion after 3 years in the CoQ10-DM group was significantly higher than that in the control-DM group. CoQ10 therapy prevented progressive hearing loss and improved blood lactate after exercise in the MIDD patients. CoQ10 treatment did not affect the diabetic complications or other clinical symptoms of MIDD patients. CoQ10 treatment did not affect the insulin secretory capacity of the mutant IGT and NGT subjects. There were no side effects during therapy. This is the first report demonstrating the therapeutic usefulness of CoQ10 on MIDD.

Topics: Adult; C-Peptide; Coenzymes; Deafness; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Nephropathies; Diabetic Neuropathies; Diabetic Retinopathy; DNA, Mitochondrial; Family Health; Female; Glucagon; Glucose Intolerance; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hearing; Humans; Lactic Acid; Male; Middle Aged; Mothers; Point Mutation; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ubiquinone