Q10 Coenzyme Supplementation can Improve Oxidative Stress Response to Exercise in Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Abstract. Background: The metabolic syndrome leads to high morbidity and mortality. Almost all pathological states are associated with oxidative stress (OS) disorders. This study evaluates the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on different lifestyles, in relation to serum and tissue OS parameters. Materials and methods: Twelve Wistar rat groups (10 rats/group) were equally divided in three types of diets: standard (St), high fat (HF), high sugar (HS); within each diet group there was one sedentary group with CoQ10 supplementation (100 mg/kg body weight), one sedentary without CoQ10, one trained group with CoQ10 and one trained group without CoQ10 supplementation. After 28 days blood samples were collected as follows: after 12 hours of fasting (T0), 1 hour postprandial (T1) and after 1 hour of exercise (T2) or sedentary postprandial time (T3). Thiol groups (SH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined from serum and liver homogenate. Results: Significant changes were observed in fasting MDA for HF (p = 0.024 for training, 0.028 for CoQ10). Postprandial, OS status altered, with highest MDA in HF sedentary non-CoQ10 group (3.92 ± 0.37 vs 2.67 ± 0.41 nmol/ml in St trained CoQ10). At T2 the untrained and non-CoQ10 groups had the highest MDA levels (up to 22.3% vs T1, p < 0.001 in HF) as SH dropped (34.4% decrease vs T1, p < 0.001 in HF). At T3 high MDA levels were observed, correlated with low SH (Pearson r = −0.423 overall), irrespective of the CoQ10 supplementation. CoQ10 improved the liver OS status (MDA and SH decreased), but not the exercise, in all diets. Conclusions: CoQ10 supplementation accompanied by chronic exercise improved the OS serum profile, irrespective of the daily diet. CoQ10 lowered liver MDA and SH concentrations.