Effects of fenofibrate therapy on plasma ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 levels in Japanese patients with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of fenofibrate therapy on concentrations of plasma ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10-the reduced and oxidized forms, respectively, of coenzyme Q(10).


METHODS
Prospective, open-label, non-controlled study.


METHODS
University clinic and laboratory.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Patients received fenofibrate 150 mg/day for 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Metabolic parameters were assessed 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the start of fenofibrate treatment. Plasma ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 levels were measured by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks, significant reductions in fasting triglyceride levels and significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were noted. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and adiponectin levels, however, did not change significantly. Plasma ubiquinol-10 concentrations significantly increased after 8 and 12 weeks (p<0.05 for both), whereas ubiquinone-10 concentrations tended to decrease, especially at 12 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that fenofibrate may help produce energy or prevent oxidation by increasing plasma ubiquinol-10 concentration; this effect may protect against the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, treatment with fenofibrate demonstrated a favorable effect on serum lipid parameters.
Asano
Akimichi
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Kobayashi
Junji
J
Murase
Yuko
Y
Nohara
Atsushi
A
Kawashiri
Masa-Aki
MA
Inazu
Akihiro
A
Shimizu
Masami
M
Mabuchi
Hiroshi
H
D003067:Coenzymes; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects
D003067:Coenzymes; D014451:Ubiquinone; C026663:ubiquinol-10; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D011345:Fenofibrate