A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study of Coenzyme Q₁₀ Therapy in Hypertensive Patients With the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background:

Our aim was to examine the effects of adjunctive coenzyme Q₁₀ therapy on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in subjects with the metabolic syndrome and inadequate BP control.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week crossover trial, coenzyme Q₁₀ (100 mg twice daily) or placebo was administrated to 30 subjects with the metabolic syndrome, and inadequate BP control (an average clinic BP of ≥140 systolic mm Hg or ≥130 mm Hg for patients with type 2 diabetes) while taking an unchanged, conventional antihypertensive regimen. Clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP were assessed pre- and post-treatment phases. The primary outcomes were the changes in 24-h systolic and diastolic BP during adjunctive therapy with coenzyme Q₁₀ vs. placebo and prespecified secondary outcomes included changes in BP loads.

Results

Compared with placebo, treatment with coenzyme Q₁₀ was not associated with statistically significant reductions in systolic (P = 0.60) or diastolic 24-h ambulatory BP (P = 0.12) or heart rate (P = 0.10), although daytime diastolic BP loads, were significantly lower during coenzyme Q₁₀ administration with thresholds set at >90 mm Hg (P = 0.007) and ≥85 mm Hg (P = 0.03). Coenzyme Q₁₀ was well tolerated and was not associated with any clinically relevant changes in safety parameters.

Conclusions

Although it is possible that coenzyme Q₁₀ may improve BP control under some circumstances, any effects are likely to be smaller than reported in previous meta-analyses. Furthermore, our data suggest that coenzyme Q₁₀ is not currently indicated as adjunctive antihypertensive treatment for patients with the metabolic syndrome whose BP control is inadequate, despite regular antihypertensive therapy.

ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, arterial pressure, blood pressure, clinical trial, coenzyme Q₁₀, hypertension, metabolic syndrome

© American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd. 2012