1. Biochem Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 1;78(11):1391-400. Epub 2009 Jul 23.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation lowers hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation
associated with diet-induced obesity in mice.

Sohet FM, Neyrinck AM, Pachikian BD, de Backer FC, Bindels LB, Niklowitz P, Menke
T, Cani PD, Delzenne NM.

Louvain Drug Research Institute, Nutrition and Metabolism Research Group,
Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and obesity are metabolic disorders induced by an excessive 
dietary intake of fat, usually related to inflammation and oxidative stress.
AIMS: The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the antioxidant
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on hepatic metabolic and inflammatory disorders associated
with diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. METHODS: C57bl6/j mice were
fed for 8 weeks, either a control diet (CT) or a high-fat diet plus 21% fructose 
in the drinking water (HFF). CoQ10 supplementation was performed in this later
condition (HFFQ). RESULTS: HFF mice exhibit increased energy consumption, fat
mass development, fasting glycaemia and insulinemia and impaired glucose
tolerance. HFF treatment promoted the expression of genes involved in reactive
oxygen species production (NADPH oxidase), inflammation (CRP, STAMP2) and
metabolism (CPT1alpha) in the liver. CoQ10 supplementation decreased the global
hepatic mRNA expression of inflammatory and metabolic stresses markers without
changing obesity and tissue lipid peroxides compared to HFF mice. HFF diets
paradoxically decreased TBARS (reflecting lipid peroxides) levels in liver,
muscle and adipose tissue versus CT group, an effect related to vitamin E content
of the diet. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, HFF model promotes glucose intolerance
and obesity by a mechanism independent on the level of tissue peroxides. CoQ10
tends to decrease hepatic stress gene expression, independently of any modulation
of lipid peroxidation, which is classically considered as its most relevant
effect.

PMID: 19632207 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]