The Antioxidant Status and Concentrations of Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E in Metabolic Syndrome

Simon Hsia,Ping-Ting Lin,Bor-Jen Lee,Nae-Cherng Yang,Chi-Hua Yen,Jui-Yuan Lin

doi:10.1155/2013/767968

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E and the antioxidant status in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Subjects with MS (n = 72) were included according to the criteria for MS. The non-MS group (n = 105) was comprised of healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values. The plasma coenzyme Q10, vitamin E concentrations, lipid profiles, and antioxidant enzymes levels (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) were measured. The subjects with MS had significantly higher concentrations of plasma coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E than those in the non-MS group, but these differences were not significant after being normalized for triglyceride level. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in the MS group than in the non-MS group. The subjects with the higher antioxidant enzymes activities had significant reductions in the risk of MS (P < 0.01) after being adjusted for coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E. In conclusion, the subjects with MS might be under higher oxidative stress resulting in low levels of antioxidant enzyme activities. A higher level of antioxidant enzymes activities was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of MS independent of the levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E.

Highlights

Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a cluster of physiological and anthropometric abnormalities [1] and is recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes [2]
The present study showed a statistically significant difference in the antioxidant status and levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in the subjects with MS
A previous study was conducted by Miles et al [21], who found that the coenzyme Q10 level was significantly higher in subjects with MS and proposed that an increase in the level of coenzyme Q10 might be a result of the natural antioxidant defense to certain features of MS

Summary

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a cluster of physiological and anthropometric abnormalities [1] and is recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes [2]. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) reported that more than 20% of the adult population in the USA suffered from MS [3, 4]. A recent report from the Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) conducted during 1999-2000 noted that 26% of men and 47% of women suffered from MS [5]. The markers of MS, including insulin resistance, type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and visceral obesity, may increase oxidative stress [7,8,9] and reduce antioxidant defenses [10,11,12]. Increases in oxidative stress contribute to impaired vascular function, inflammation, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis and give rise to vascular disease [13]

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Conclusion