Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Nutr Neurosci. 2016;19(3):138-43. doi: 10.1179/1476830515Y.0000000002. Epub 2015 Jan 20.

Abstract

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of central nervous system which is accompanied with disability and negative life style changes such as fatigue and depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on fatigue and depression in patients with MS.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of CoQ10 supplement (500 mg/day) vs. placebo for 12 weeks. Fatigue symptoms were quantified by means of fatigue severity scale (FSS) and the Beck depression inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms.

Results: A significant decrease of FSS was observed in CoQ10 group during the intervention (P = 0.001) and significant increase of FSS change was observed within placebo group (P = 0.001). Repeated measure analysis of variance showed a significant time-by-treatment interaction for FSS (baseline 41.5 ± 15.6 vs. endpoint 45 ± 13.6; F1,45 = 55.23, P < 0.001, η(2) = 0.56) and BDI (baseline 17.8 ± 12.2 vs. endpoint 20.4 ± 11.4; F1,45 = 40.3, P < 0.001, η(2) = 0.48), indicating significant decrease of FSS and BDI in CoQ10 group compared to placebo group.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that CoQ10 supplementation (500 mg/day) can improve fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Coenzyme Q10; Depression; Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antioxidants / adverse effects
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
  • Depression / etiology
  • Depression / prevention & control*
  • Dietary Supplements* / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fatigue / physiopathology
  • Fatigue / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diet therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / psychology
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Self Report
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ubiquinone / adverse effects
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ubiquinone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Ubiquinone
  • coenzyme Q10