Coenzyme Q10 administration suppresses both oxidative and antioxidative markers in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Increased oxidative stress is associated with various complications in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: We examined the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) administration on the plasma oxidative products and antioxidant capacity in 36 HD patients for 6 months.

Results: The advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde and the percentage of ubiquinone in total CoQ10 were significantly higher in HD patients than in healthy subjects before administration (0 month). Oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), indicators of total antioxidant capacity, were also paradoxically higher in the HD patients at 0 month. AOPP and the percentage of ubiquinone significantly decreased during CoQ10 administration, but increased again after the discontinuation. ORAC and TEAC were also decreased during CoQ10 administration.

Conclusion: The CoQ10 administration was partially effective for suppressing the oxidative stress in HD patients. The unexpected decrease of ORAC and TEAC by CoQ10 seemed to be associated with a decreased oxidative stress.