A pilot clinical trial of the effects of coenzyme Q10 on chronic tinnitus aurium.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the short-term effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the antioxidative status and tinnitus expression in patients with chronic tinnitus aurium.


METHODS
A 16-week prospective nonrandomized clinical trial (n = 20). Tinnitus and Short Form-36 Questionnaires (TQ/SF-36) were evaluated together with the plasma concentrations of CoQ10, malondialdehyde, and the total antioxidant status.


RESULTS
The mean plasma CoQ10 concentration rose under external CoQ10 supply and remained elevated after medication stopped without overall effects on the tinnitus score. However, in a subgroup of 7 patients with low initial plasma CoQ10 concentration and significant increase in the plasma CoQ10 level, a clear decrease in the TQ score was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with a low plasma CoQ10 concentration, CoQ10 supply may decrease the tinnitus expression.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to examine the effect of CoQ10 in chronic tinnitus aurium.
Khan
Martin
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Gross
Johann
J
Haupt
Heidemarie
H
Jainz
Annett
A
Niklowitz
Petra
P
Scherer
Hans
H
Schmidt
Frank-Peter
FP
Klapp
Burghard F
BF
Reisshauer
Anett
A
Mazurek
Birgit
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003067:Coenzymes; D045222:Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D003067:Coenzymes; D045222:Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins; D014451:Ubiquinone; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C024989:coenzyme Q10