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Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on lipid profiles and liver enzymes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Ali Ardekani, Reza Tabrizi, Elham Maleki, Kamran Bagheri Lankarani, Seyed Taghi Heydari, Mehdi Moradinazar, Maryam Akbari
Food Science & Nutrition 2023 11(6):2580-2588

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 37324909
PubMed Central
PMC10261764
DOI
10.1002/fsn3.3315

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
ModelAdults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Sample6 randomized controlled trials
InterventionCoQ10 supplementation versus control in NAFLD trials
Duration
EndpointsALT; AST; GGT; Total cholesterol; LDL-C; HDL-C; Triglycerides

What the study showed, in plain terms

This meta-analysis pooled six randomized trials in people with NAFLD. Overall changes in liver enzymes and lipid markers favored CoQ10 numerically but were not statistically significant in the primary pooled analyses.

Some sensitivity and subgroup analyses became significant, which makes the evidence hypothesis-generating rather than proof that CoQ10 treats fatty liver disease.

Key findings

The primary pooled analyses did not find significant overall reductions in ALT, AST or GGT.

The pooled lipid profile also showed no significant overall improvement.

Sensitivity and dose/duration subgroup analyses produced some significant liver-enzyme findings, but heterogeneity and the small evidence base limit confidence.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Only six trials were available, several pooled outcomes had very high heterogeneity, and some included interventions or populations differed substantially.

Liver enzymes are surrogate markers and do not establish improvement in fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver-related events or long-term metabolic outcomes.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology