Effects of coenzyme Q10 analogs on oxidative stress, muscle, and metabolism after exercise: A meta-analysis and systematic review

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether coenzyme Q10 is effective in preventing exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage.MethodsFourteen randomized controlled studies examining the effects of supplementation with coenzyme Q10 analogs on postexercise oxidative stress and muscle damage were identified through searches in literature databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science, and then the quality of the included studies was assessed. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.ResultsThe study screened 14 randomized controlled trials that included a total of 433 subjects. The results demonstrated that oral coenzyme Q10 elevated blood coenzyme Q10 concentration (standardized mean difference: 2.710, 95% confidence interval: 1.57-3.85, p < 0.00001) and reduced blood malondialdehyde concentration (standardized mean difference: -0.289, 95% confidence interval: -0.541 to -0.038, p = 0.024). Additionally, oral coenzyme Q10 was found to reduce blood creatine kinase values (standardized mean difference: -1.532, 95% confidence interval: -2.856 to -0.209, p = 0.023), suggesting a potential protective effect on skeletal muscle. The metabolism-related blood lactate and maximal oxygen uptake levels were not affected by coenzyme Q10 (standardized mean difference: -0.68, 95% confidence interval: -1.89 to 0.53, p = 0.271; standardized mean difference: -0.156, 95% confidence interval: -0.79 to 0.478, p = 0.630).ConclusionsCoenzyme Q10 may reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress on blood malondialdehyde and exert a protective effect on muscle; however, no effect was observed from the anaerobic and aerobic metabolism of the organism.