The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Circulating Levels of Novel Adipokine Adipolin/CTRP12 in Overweight and Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Adipolin, the novel adipokine that is proposed to be reduced in diabetes, obesity and inflammation, may improve glycemic control. It is known that coenzyme Q10 could improve insulin sensitivity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of Q10 supplementation on adipolin concentration and glucose metabolism in overweight and obese diabetic patients. Sixty four patients with type 2 diabetes and 25<BMI<35 kg/m were randomly divided to receive 200 mg Q10 or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Fasting serum levels of adipolin, glucose, insulin, HbA1c and HOMA-IR were measured before and after supplementation. Following supplementation, adipolin levels decreased significantly in Q10 group (38.19±32.02 to 29.03±34.23 ng/ml;P=0.001). HbA1c decreased dramatically following supplementation only in Q10 group (8.6±2.2% to 7.9±2.1%, P<0.001). It was also marginally lower in Q10 compared to placebo group at the end of study (P=0.056). Moreover, weight (P=0.003), BMI (P=0.003) and waist circumference (P=0.016) decreased significantly in Q10 group. No significant alterations were observed in FBS, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR within or between Q10 and placebo groups. Coenzyme Q10 reduced HbA1c considerably in overweight and obese patients with diabetes, although interestingly adipolin levels declined simultaneously. In this study, Q10 modulated glucose homeostasis, which was expected to be mediated by increasing adipolin. The similar mechanisms of action of Q10 and adipolin may justify lowering effect of Q10 on adipolin. In addition, the possible anti-adipogenic effect of Q10 might explain the significant reduction in weight and waist circumference and hence the adipolin decrease. Further studies are required to evaluate the precise role of adipolin in glucose metabolism as well as the probable effects of coenzyme Q10 on adipose tissue and adipokines.