Abstract

Objective: This 12-week randomized placebo controlled clinical trial investigated the effect of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on diabetic neuropathy, oxidative stress, blood glucose and lipid profi le of patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Diabetic patients with neuropathic signs (n = 70) were randomly assigned to CoQ10 (200 mg/d) or placebo for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis and neuropathy tests before and after the trial. Results: There were no signifi cant differences between the two groups in terms of mean fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and the lipid profi le after the trial. The mean insulin sensitivity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentration signifi cantly increased in the Q10 group compared to the placebo after the trial (P < 0.05). C-reactive protein (hsCRP) signifi cantly decreased in the intervention group compared to placebo after the trial (P < 0.05). In the control group, insulin sensitivity decreased and HOMA-IR increased, which revealed a signifi cant difference between groups after the trial. Neuropathic symptoms and electromyography measurements did not differ between two groups after the trial. Conclusions: According to the present study, CoQ10, when given at a dose of 200 mg/d for 12 weeks to a group of neuropathic diabetic patients, did not improve the neuropathy signs compared to placebo, although it had some benefi cial effects on TAC and hsCRP and probably a protective effect on insulin resistance. © 2014 Hans Huber Publishers, Hogrefe AG, Bern.