研究顯示CoQ10 可以防止肥胖

由動物實驗的結果建議，服用營養補充劑輔酶Q10可保護或阻礙與肥胖有關的脂肪肝的發展。

老鼠以高脂肪及果糖膳食加上補充輔酶Q10會降低肝發炎還有代謝壓力指數，來對照單以高脂肪餵食的老鼠。

輔酶Q10有類似維生素的屬性，但由於他是自然在人體中和成所以他不歸於此類。輔酶Q10集中在粒線體(細胞能量工廠)裡，在產生化學能量具有很重要的角色，透過參與三磷酸腺苷(adenosince triphosphate—ATP)的產生,在人體裡被統稱”能量貨幣”。有許多的科學研究結果證實補充輔酶Q10對患有心絞痛、心臟病及高血壓有很大的幫助。輔酶Q10更進一步的被建議對食用施德丁(Statin--一種抗血脂藥物)所引起的輔酶消耗有幫助的效果。其他的研究報告則指出輔酶Q10可參與預防或改善神經性退化症。

這項新的研究表明了分子也可以改善肝臟健康。在經過八周的老鼠餵食試驗結果顯示，餵食高脂肪和果糖飲食的老鼠消耗較多的能量，並有較高的脂肪形成， 空腹血糖還有胰島素異常高。

在服用輔酶Q10的動物組發現到在發炎還有代謝壓力(metabolic stress)的基因表現(gene expression)上有改善。

CoQ10 may protect against obesity problems: Study

Supplements of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may protect or retard the development of fatty liver related to obesity, suggest findings from an animal study.

Mice fed a high fat and fructose diet and supplemented with CoQ10 had decreased levels of inflammatory and metabolic stresses markers in their livers than mice just fed the high-fat diet, according to findings published in Biochemical Pharmacology.

The supplements did not have any effect on obesity levels or levels of oxidised fat products in other tissues, added the researchers, led by Nathalie Delzenne from the Catholic University of Leuven.

Vitamin-like

CoQ10 has properties similar to vitamins, but since it is naturally synthesized in the body it is not classed as such. With chemical structure 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decaprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, it is also known as ubiquinone because of its 'ubiquitous' distribution throughout the human body.

The coenzyme is concentrated in the mitochondria - the 'power plants' of the cell - and plays a vital role in the production of chemical energy by participating in the production of adenosince triphosphate (ATP), the body's co-called 'energy currency'.

There is an ever-growing body of scientific data that shows substantial health benefits of CoQ10 supplementation for people suffering from angina, heart attack and hypertension. The nutrient is also recommended to people on statins to off-set the CoQ-depleting effects of the medication. Other studies have reported that CoQ10 may play a role in the prevention or benefit people already suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

The new study, suggests the molecule may also improve liver health.

The Leuven-based researchers, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Witten/Herdecke in Germany, fed mice a control diet, a high-fat diet with fructose, or the same high-fat, fructose diet plus CoQ10 supplements (1 per cent, Kaneka) for eight weeks.

The animals fed the high-fat, fructose diet consumed more energy, and showed higher fat mass development, fasting blood glucose and abnormally high insulin levels.

The high-fat, fructose diet also promoted gene expression in the liver for reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and metabolism, said the researchers.

In the CoQ10 supplemented animals, however, the researchers noted a decrease in gene expression for the inflammatory and metabolic stresses markers.

“We propose, in view of our study, that CoQ10, when given orally, is able to target the liver tissue, and to lessen inflammatory stress associated with obesity in mice in this tissue, independent on any action on lipid peroxidation,” wrote the researchers. “However, this effect was not sufficient to counteract fat mass development and other metabolic alterations occurring upon obesity,” they concluded.

資料來源: Biochemical Pharmacology
Volume 78, Issue 11, Pages 1391-1400
“Coenzyme Q10 supplementation lowers hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation associated with diet-induced obesity in mice”
Authors: F.M. Sohet, A.M. Neyrinck, B.D. Pachikian, F.C. de Backer, L.B. Bindels, P. Niklowitz, T. Menke, P.D. Cani, N.M. Delzenne